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Canon EF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM vs Canon EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS STM

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-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS STM
Overview
Released2016September 2013
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length24–105 mm55–250 mm
Maximum aperturef/4f/4–5.6
Minimum aperturef/22f/22–32
Optical constructionSeventeen elements in twelve groups15 elements in 12 groups
Special elementsFour aspherical elementsOne UD element
CoatingsAir Sphere Coating; front and rear fluorine coating according to The Digital PictureSuper Spectra coatings
DiaphragmTen blades with a circular apertureSeven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view84°–23°20′ diagonal, 74°–19°20′ horizontal and 53°–13° verticalHorizontal 23°20′–5°20′; vertical 15°40′–3°30′; diagonal 27°50′–6°15′
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon EFCanon EF-S
Image circleFull frameAPS-C
CompatibilityCanon EF full-frame and APS-C DSLRs; EOS M cameras require an EF-EOS M mount adaptorCanon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras; 88–400 mm equivalent field of view
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 m0.85 m
Maximum magnification0.24×0.29×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailUSM autofocus with full-time manual focusing. Canon's manual specifies turning the ring with the shutter half-pressed after One Shot AFSTM stepping motor with lead screw; electronic manual focus adjustment after One-Shot autofocus locks according to ePHOTOzine
Focus distance detailInternal focusing according to The Digital Picture; Canon instructs users to finish zooming before focusingMinimum focus distance 0.85 m throughout the zoom range; maximum 0.29× magnification at 250 mm; non-rotating front element
Stabilisation detailCanon claims four-stop optical stabilisation. The exact manual describes automatic adjustment for still subjects and panning, with correction perpendicular to the panning direction3.5-stop CIPA claim; automatic panning detection disables correction in the direction of movement
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesNo
Filter diameter77 mm58 mm
Maximum diameter83.5 mm70 mm
Length118 mm111.2 mm
Weight795 g375 g
ControlsAF/MF and stabilisation switches, separate focus and zoom rings, distance window, infrared index and transport lock at 24 mm–
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 seals according to Digital Camera World
Dimensions detailMaximum diameter × retracted length; size and 795 g weight are lens-only. Caps add 24.2 mm to length according to Canon's manual70 mm maximum diameter × 111.2 mm length in the retracted state
Lens hoodEW-83M hood with release button; reversible for storageET-63; sold separately according to both reviews
In the boxLens, E-77 II front cap, Dust Lens Cap E, EW-83M hood, LP1219 case and 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 differenceCanon Japan gives first sale on 12 September 2013; Canon Camera Museum gives September. This day is the Japanese release, not a separately confirmed UK day.

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