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Canon EF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM vs Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II 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 85mm f/1.2L II USM
Overview
Released2016March 2006
Optics
Lens typeZoomPrime
Focal length24–105 mm85 mm
Maximum aperturef/4f/1.2
Minimum aperturef/22f/16
Optical constructionSeventeen elements in twelve groupsEight elements in seven groups with a floating optical construction
Special elementsFour aspherical elementsGround aspherical lens according to Canon Japan
CoatingsAir Sphere Coating; front and rear fluorine coating according to The Digital PictureSuper Spectra coatings according to Canon UK
DiaphragmTen blades with a circular apertureEight blades with a circular electromagnetic diaphragm
Angle of view84°–23°20′ diagonal, 74°–19°20′ horizontal and 53°–13° vertical28°30′ diagonal, 24° horizontal and 16° 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 cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensors
Teleconverter supportCanon's manual excludes extendersCanon EF1.4X II and EF2X II extenders cannot be used according to the 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 mmCanon UK confirms EOS M compatibility with the EF-EOS M Mount Adapter
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.45 m0.95 m
Maximum magnification0.24×0.11×
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 AFUSM autofocus; Canon claims up to 1.8× the autofocus speed of the original EF 85mm f/1.2L USM using a faster CPU and revised algorithms
Focus distance detailInternal focusing according to The Digital Picture; Canon instructs users to finish zooming before focusingElectronic manual focusing; full-time override after One-Shot AF while half-pressing the shutter, with camera and mode exceptions listed in the manual. The Digital Picture confirms camera power is required and the lens extends when focusing
Magnification detail–Canon manual gives EF12 II tube magnification 0.15–0.25×, EF25 II 0.33–0.42× and 500D close-up lens 0.17–0.28×
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 stabilisation according to ePHOTOzine's exact-model specification
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesNo
Filter diameter77 mm72 mm
Maximum diameter83.5 mm91.5 mm
Length118 mm84 mm
Weight795 g1,025 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 window, infrared index and depth-of-field scale
Filter detail–Front screw-in filter; one filter at a time 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 Japan explicitly lists no dust or drip resistance
Dimensions detailMaximum diameter × retracted length; size and 795 g weight are lens-only. Caps add 24.2 mm to length according to Canon's manual91.5 mm maximum diameter × 84 mm length; 1,025 g lens-only. Add 21.5 mm with E-72U and rear cap, or 24.2 mm with E-72 II and rear cap
Lens hoodEW-83M hood with release button; reversible for storageSupplied ES-79 II clip-on 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 front cap, Lens Dust Cap E, ES-79 II hood, LP1219 pouch and user manual according to Canon UK
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 differenceMarch 2006 sale month confirmed by Canon Camera Museum and Japan support. Canon explicitly identifies this model as the successor to the September 1989 EF 85mm f/1.2L USM

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