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Canon EF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM vs Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

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CanonEF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USMCanonEF 50mm f/1.2L USM
Overview
Released2016January 2007
Optics
Lens typeZoomPrime
Focal length24–105 mm50 mm
Maximum aperturef/4f/1.2
Minimum aperturef/22f/16
Optical constructionSeventeen elements in twelve groupsEight elements in six groups
Special elementsFour aspherical elementsLarge-diameter, high-precision aspherical glass element according to Canon's manual and Camera Museum
CoatingsAir Sphere Coating; front and rear fluorine coating according to The Digital PictureSuper Spectra coating according to Canon UK's store
DiaphragmTen blades with a circular apertureEight circular blades according to Canon Camera Museum
Angle of view84°–23°20′ diagonal, 74°–19°20′ horizontal and 53°–13° vertical46° diagonal, 40° horizontal and 27° vertical
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon EFCanon EF
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityCanon EF full-frame and APS-C DSLRs; EOS M cameras require an EF-EOS M mount adaptorCanon EF full-frame and APS-C cameras
Teleconverter supportCanon's manual excludes extendersEF 1.4X II and EF 2X II cannot be used according to Canon's manual
Adaptor supportEF12 II gives 0.60–0.50× at 24 mm and 0.41–0.12× at 105 mm; EF25 II is incompatible at 24 mm and gives 0.61–0.27× at 105 mm–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.45 m0.45 m
Maximum magnification0.24×0.15×
Optical stabilisationYesNo
Autofocus detailUSM autofocus with full-time manual focusing. Canon's manual specifies turning the ring with the shutter half-pressed after One Shot AFRing USM with mechanical full-time manual focus; Canon's manual permits adjustment after One Shot AF while holding the shutter button halfway
Magnification detail–EF12 II extension tube gives 0.24–0.39×; EF25 II gives 0.53–0.67×; Canon recommends manual focus with extension tubes
Focus distance detailInternal focusing according to The Digital Picture; Canon instructs users to finish zooming before focusing–
Stabilisation detailCanon claims four-stop optical stabilisation. The exact manual describes automatic adjustment for still subjects and panning, with correction perpendicular to the panning direction–
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesYes
Filter diameter77 mm72 mm
Maximum diameter83.5 mm85.8 mm
Length118 mm65.5 mm
Weight795 g580 g
ControlsAF/MF and stabilisation switches, separate focus and zoom rings, distance window, infrared index and transport lock at 24 mmAF/MF switch, focusing ring, distance scale, depth-of-field scale and infrared index according to Canon's manual
Zoom designExtending barrel; zoom lock holds the shortest 24 mm position–
Weather resistanceCanon UK describes dust and moisture sealing; the manual identifies a rubber mount ring. The Digital Picture recommends a protective filter to complete front sealingCanon's manual requires a separately sold 72 mm Canon PROTECT filter for dust and water resistance because the front element moves when focusing; without the filter it is not dust or water resistant
Dimensions detailMaximum diameter × retracted length; size and 795 g weight are lens-only. Caps add 24.2 mm to length according to Canon's manual85.8 mm diameter × 65.5 mm length according to Canon UK; manual measures length from the mount surface to the front, with caps adding 21.5 mm; Canon USA instead lists 85.4 mm diameter
Weight detail–Canon UK's specification page lists 580 g; its store, Canon Camera Museum and the manual list 590 g, while Canon USA lists 545 g lens-only; the manual states its weight excludes accessories
Lens hoodEW-83M hood with release button; reversible for storageSupplied ES-78 hood; reversible for storage according to Canon's manual
In the boxLens, E-77 II front cap, Dust Lens Cap E, EW-83M hood, LP1219 case and manual according to Canon UKLens, E-72U cap, Lens Dust Cap E, ES-78 hood, LP1214 case and user manual according to Canon UK's store
Release detailCanon Camera Museum's exact-model table records October 2016 marketing; its later RF 24–105mm page retrospectively says November 2016. The year is used because the maker gives conflicting months without explaining a regional differenceCanon Camera Museum and Canon's 2021 retrospective record January 2007 release; the August 2006 Japanese announcement initially planned late November 2006

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