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Canon EF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM vs Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

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/1.8 II
Overview
Released2016December 1990
Optics
Lens typeZoomPrime
Focal length24–105 mm50 mm
Maximum aperturef/4f/1.8
Minimum aperturef/22f/22
Optical constructionSeventeen elements in twelve groupsSix elements in five groups; Gaussian optical design
Special elementsFour aspherical elements–
CoatingsAir Sphere Coating; front and rear fluorine coating according to The Digital Picture–
DiaphragmTen blades with a circular apertureFive blades
Angle of view84°–23°20′ diagonal, 74°–19°20′ horizontal and 53°–13° verticalFull-frame diagonal 46°; vertical 27°; horizontal 40°
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 mount for full-frame, APS-H and APS-C cameras (DPReview)
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 AFDC micromotor autofocus (DPReview)
Focus distance detailInternal focusing according to The Digital Picture; Canon instructs users to finish zooming before focusingSwitch to MF before turning the focusing ring; do not touch rotating parts during autofocus
Magnification detail–0.15×; 240 × 160 mm field of view at 0.45 m according to Canon
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 optical image stabilisation (DPReview)
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYes–
Filter diameter77 mm52 mm
Maximum diameter83.5 mm68.2 mm
Length118 mm41 mm
Weight795 g130 g
ControlsAF/MF and stabilisation switches, separate focus and zoom rings, distance window, infrared index and transport lock at 24 mmAF/MF switch and focusing ring; no distance scale (The-Digital-Picture)
Filter detail–One 52 mm front filter; with the optional hood, mount the filter on the hood adaptor
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 sealing–
Dimensions detailMaximum diameter × retracted length; size and 795 g weight are lens-only. Caps add 24.2 mm to length according to Canon's manualLength measured from the mount surface to the front of the lens, excluding caps
Weight detail–Approximately 130 g lens only
Lens hoodEW-83M hood with release button; reversible for storageOptional ES-62, requiring its supplied screw-in hood adaptor; reversible for storage
In the boxLens, E-77 II front cap, Dust Lens Cap E, EW-83M hood, LP1219 case and manual according to Canon UKFront and rear caps according to DPReview; accessories may vary by region
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 differenceMarketed in December 1990 according to Canon Camera Museum

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