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Canon EF 24–105mm f/4L IS USM vs Canon EF 24–70mm f/4L IS 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/4L IS USM
Overview
Released2005December 2012
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length24–105 mm24–70 mm
Maximum aperturef/4f/4
Minimum aperturef/22f/22
Optical constructionEighteen elements in thirteen groups15 elements in 12 groups
Special elementsThree aspherical elements, comprising two replica and one glass-moulded element, plus one Super UD elementTwo aspherical and two UD elements
Coatings–Super Spectra coatings; Canon also specifies easy-clean lens-element coatings
DiaphragmEight blades with a circular apertureNine blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view84°–23°20′ diagonal, 74°–19°20′ horizontal and 53°–13° verticalHorizontal 74°–29°; vertical 53°–19°30′; diagonal 84°–34°
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 extenders–
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 m0.2 m
Maximum magnification0.23×0.7×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
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 with full-time manual override
Focus distance detailInternal focusing without front-element rotation according to The Digital PictureNormal minimum focus 0.38 m; dedicated macro mode reaches 0.2 m according to Canon Camera Museum; approximately 3 cm working distance at maximum magnification (Bob Atkins)
Magnification detail–Maximum 0.21× in normal operation and 0.7× in the separate macro position beyond the telephoto end
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 movementFour-stop optical IS claim; automatic panning detection; Hybrid IS compensates angular and shift movements in macro mode
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesYes
Filter diameter77 mm77 mm
Maximum diameter83.5 mm83.4 mm
Length107 mm93 mm
Weight670 g600 g
ControlsSeparate zoom and focus rings, AF/MF and stabilisation switches, distance window and infrared focus indexMacro/zoom-lock switch; AF/MF and IS switches; focus ring, zoom ring and distance scale
Zoom designExtending barrel with rotary zoom control according to both reviewsBarrel extends towards 70 mm; zoom lock operates at 24 mm (Bob Atkins)
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 protectionSealed against dust and moisture
Dimensions detailMaximum diameter × length; size and 670 g weight are lens-only. Caps add 21.5 mm to length according to Canon's manual83.4 mm maximum diameter × 93 mm length in the retracted state
Lens hoodEW-83H petal hood, reversible for storageEW-83L hood; Canon lists LP1219 pouch as an accessory
In the boxLens, EW-83H hood and soft pouch according to The Digital Picture–
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 givenMarketed in December 2012 according to Canon Camera Museum

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