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Canon EF 24–105mm f/4L IS USM vs Canon EF 24–70mm f/2.8L USM

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

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CanonEF 24–105mm f/4L IS USMCanonEF 24–70mm f/2.8L USM
Overview
Released2005November 2002
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length24–105 mm24–70 mm
Maximum aperturef/4f/2.8
Minimum aperturef/22f/22
Optical constructionEighteen elements in thirteen groups16 elements in 13 groups
Special elementsThree aspherical elements, comprising two replica and one glass-moulded element, plus one Super UD elementTwo aspherical elements and one UD element
DiaphragmEight blades with a circular apertureEight blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view84°–23°20′ diagonal, 74°–19°20′ horizontal and 53°–13° verticalDiagonal 84°–34°; vertical 53°–19°30′; horizontal 74°–29°
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon EFCanon EF
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityCanon EF cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensorsCanon EF mount full-frame and APS-C cameras
Teleconverter supportCanon's manual excludes EF1.4X II and EF2X II extendersCanon EF1.4X II and EF2X II extenders are incompatible
Adaptor supportEF12 II extension tube gives 0.60–0.50× at 24 mm and 0.40–0.12× 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 m0.38 m
Maximum magnification0.23×0.29×
Optical stabilisationYesNo
Autofocus detailRing USM autofocus with full-time manual focusing. Canon's manual specifies turning the ring with the shutter half-pressed after One Shot AFRing-type USM (OpticalLimits); manual override after autofocus in One-Shot AF with the shutter button held halfway
Focus distance detailInternal focusing without front-element rotation according to The Digital Picture0.38 m minimum focus throughout the zoom range; maximum 0.29× magnification at 70 mm; non-rotating front filter thread (ePHOTOzine and OpticalLimits)
Stabilisation detailCanon claims stabilisation equivalent to a shutter speed three stops faster. The manual cautions that stabilisation may be less effective when panning and cannot compensate for subject movementNo optical image stabilisation (ePHOTOzine)
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesYes
Filter diameter77 mm77 mm
Maximum diameter83.5 mm83.2 mm
Length107 mm123.5 mm
Weight670 g950 g
ControlsSeparate zoom and focus rings, AF/MF and stabilisation switches, distance window and infrared focus indexFocus mode switch, focus ring, zoom ring, distance scale and infrared index
Zoom designExtending barrel with rotary zoom control according to both reviewsReverse zoom mechanism; longest at 24 mm and shortest at 70 mm, with the hood enclosing the moving front section (OpticalLimits)
Weather resistanceCanon's manual describes a sealed structure and rubber mount ring for dust and drip resistance. The Digital Picture recommends a protective filter to complete protectionDust- and drip-resistant seal structure; rubber ring around the lens mount
Dimensions detailMaximum diameter × length; size and 670 g weight are lens-only. Caps add 21.5 mm to length according to Canon's manual83.2 mm maximum diameter × 123.5 mm length; maker dimensions and weight are for the lens alone, excluding caps
Lens hoodEW-83H petal hood, reversible for storageEW-83F; can be reversed for storage
In the boxLens, EW-83H hood and soft pouch according to The Digital PictureE-77U front cap, rear cap, EW-83F hood and LP1219 lens case (manual accessory names; ePHOTOzine box contents)
Release detailCanon Camera Museum's exact-model table records October 2005 marketing. Its later EF 24–105mm IS STM page retrospectively describes this lens as released in September 2005; no first-sale day or explanation for the month difference is givenCanon Camera Museum's original-model table records November 2002; its later Mark II retrospective instead refers to September 2002

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