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Canon EF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM vs Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

CanonEF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USMCanonEF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Overview
Released2016June 1993
Optics
Lens typeZoomPrime
Focal length24–105 mm50 mm
Maximum aperturef/4f/1.4
Minimum aperturef/22f/22
Optical constructionSeventeen elements in twelve groupsSeven elements in six groups
Special elementsFour aspherical elementsTwo high-refraction glass elements according to Canon Camera Museum
CoatingsAir Sphere Coating; front and rear fluorine coating according to The Digital PictureSuper Spectra coating according to Canon UK
DiaphragmTen blades with a circular apertureEight blades; Canon UK's store describes a circular diaphragm, while Photozone finds angular highlights when stopped down
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 extenders–
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 AFMicro USM with mechanical full-time manual focus; Canon's manual permits adjustment after One Shot AF while holding the shutter button halfway
Focus distance detailInternal focusing according to The Digital Picture; Canon instructs users to finish zooming before focusingOverall linear extension focusing according to Canon USA; front filter thread does not rotate according to The Digital Picture
Magnification detail–EF12 II extension tube gives 0.24–0.39×; EF25 II gives 0.53–0.68× according to Canon UK
Stabilisation detailCanon claims four-stop optical stabilisation. The exact manual describes automatic adjustment for still subjects and panning, with correction perpendicular to the panning directionNo image stabilisation according to The Digital Picture's exact-model specification table
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesNo
Filter diameter77 mm58 mm
Maximum diameter83.5 mm73.8 mm
Length118 mm50.5 mm
Weight795 g290 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 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 sealingNo weather sealing according to The Digital Picture's exact-model specification table
Dimensions detailMaximum diameter × retracted length; size and 795 g weight are lens-only. Caps add 24.2 mm to length according to Canon's manual73.8 mm diameter × 50.5 mm length in the retracted state according to Canon UK; Canon's manual measures length from the mount surface to the front, with caps adding 21.5 mm
Weight detail–290 g for the lens only according to Canon's manual
Lens hoodEW-83M hood with release button; reversible for storageOptional ES-71 II 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-58II cap, Lens Dust Cap E 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 records June 1993 marketing

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