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

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

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

EF 24–70mm f/2.8L II USM compared with EF 24–70mm f/4L IS USM

	CanonEF 24–70mm f/2.8L II USM	CanonEF 24–70mm f/4L IS USM
Overview
Released
Released	September 2012	December 2012
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	24–70 mm	24–70 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/4
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/22
Optical construction
Optical construction	18 elements in 13 groups	15 elements in 12 groups
Special elements
Special elements	Three aspherical elements, two UD elements and one Super UD element	Two aspherical and two UD elements
Coatings
Coatings	Fluorine on the front surface of the first element and rear surface of the last element	Super Spectra coatings; Canon also specifies easy-clean lens-element coatings
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine blades with a circular aperture	Nine blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view
Angle of view	Full-frame horizontal 74°–29°; vertical 53°–19°30′; diagonal 84°–34°	Horizontal 74°–29°; vertical 53°–19°30′; diagonal 84°–34°
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Canon EF	Canon EF
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Compatibility
Compatibility	Canon EF cameras, including full-frame and APS-C DSLRs	Canon EF mount full-frame and APS-C cameras
Adaptor support
Adaptor support	Canon UK supports EOS M cameras with an EF-EOS M mount adaptor	–
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.38 m	0.2 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.21×	0.7×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	No	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Ring-type USM with full-time manual override	Ring-type USM with full-time manual override
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Internal focusing; filter thread does not rotate during focusing (DPReview)	Normal 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
Magnification detail	Maximum 0.21× at 70 mm	Maximum 0.21× in normal operation and 0.7× in the separate macro position beyond the telephoto end
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	No optical image stabilisation (DPReview and OpticalLimits)	Four-stop optical IS claim; automatic panning detection; Hybrid IS compensates angular and shift movements in macro mode
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	82 mm	77 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	88.5 mm	83.4 mm
Length
Length	113 mm	93 mm
Weight
Weight	805 g	600 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Separate focus and zoom rings; zoom lock lever	Macro/zoom-lock switch; AF/MF and IS switches; focus ring, zoom ring and distance scale
Zoom design
Zoom design	Lens extends when zoomed towards 70 mm; zoom lock holds the 24 mm position (DPReview)	Barrel extends towards 70 mm; zoom lock operates at 24 mm (Bob Atkins)
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Dust and moisture resistant structure at the mount, switch panel and zoom ring	Sealed against dust and moisture
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	88.5 mm maximum diameter × 113 mm length in the retracted state	83.4 mm maximum diameter × 93 mm length in the retracted state
Lens hood
Lens hood	EW-88C	EW-83L hood; Canon lists LP1219 pouch as an accessory
In the box
In the box	Lens, E-82 U front cap, Lens Dust Cap E, EW-88C hood, LP1219 case and user manual	–
Release detail
Release detail	Marketed in September 2012 according to Canon Camera Museum	Marketed in December 2012 according to Canon Camera Museum