Request a product

Canon EF 24–70mm f/2.8L II USM vs Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

CanonEF 24–70mm f/2.8L II USMCanonEF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2012September 2018
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length24–70 mm70–200 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/2.8
Minimum aperturef/22f/32
Optical construction18 elements in 13 groups23 elements in 19 groups; retains the optical layout of the EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Special elementsThree aspherical elements, two UD elements and one Super UD elementOne fluorite and five UD elements
CoatingsFluorine on the front surface of the first element and rear surface of the last elementAir Sphere Coating and revised optical coatings; fluorine coating on front and rear element surfaces
DiaphragmNine blades with a circular apertureEight blades with a circular aperture
Angle of viewFull-frame horizontal 74°–29°; vertical 53°–19°30′; diagonal 84°–34°Diagonal 34°–12°; vertical 19°30′–7°; horizontal 29°–10°
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon EFCanon EF
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityCanon EF cameras, including full-frame and APS-C DSLRsCanon EF mount full-frame and APS-C cameras
Teleconverter support–EF1.4X III gives 98–280 mm f/4 and 0.30× maximum magnification; EF2X III gives 140–400 mm f/5.6 and 0.44×; autofocus remains available but is slower
Adaptor supportCanon UK supports EOS M cameras with an EF-EOS M mount adaptor–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.38 m1.2 m
Maximum magnification0.21×0.21×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailRing-type USM with full-time manual overrideRing-type USM; full-time manual override after One-Shot autofocus while holding the shutter button halfway
Focus distance detailInternal focusing; filter thread does not rotate during focusing (DPReview)Internal focusing; maximum 0.21× magnification at 200 mm
Magnification detailMaximum 0.21× at 70 mm–
Stabilisation detailNo optical image stabilisation (DPReview and OpticalLimits)Up to 3.5 stops under CIPA testing at 200 mm on an EOS-1D X Mark II; Mode 1 for still subjects and Mode 2 for panning; Canon notes tripod results depend on the tripod and shooting conditions
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesYes
Filter diameter82 mm77 mm
Maximum diameter88.5 mm88.8 mm
Length113 mm199 mm
Weight805 g1,480 g
ControlsSeparate focus and zoom rings; zoom lock leverAF/MF, IS on/off and IS mode switches; focus limiter selects 1.2 m–infinity or 2.5 m–infinity
Zoom designLens extends when zoomed towards 70 mm; zoom lock holds the 24 mm position (DPReview)Internal zooming maintains physical length (Digital Camera World)
Weather resistanceDust and moisture resistant structure at the mount, switch panel and zoom ringDust- and moisture-resistant construction with a rubber gasket at the mount
Dimensions detail88.5 mm maximum diameter × 113 mm length in the retracted state88.8 mm maximum diameter × 199 mm length, measured from the mount to the lens front; add 24.2 mm for front and rear caps
Weight detail–Approximately 1,480 g lens only according to Canon's instruction manual, UK store and Camera Museum; a Canon USA one-page specification chart instead lists approximately 1,440 g
Tripod mount–Included removable rotating B (W II) tripod mount ring; detach the lens from the camera before removing the collar
Lens hoodEW-88CET-87, with release button and reversible mounting for storage
In the boxLens, E-82 U front cap, Lens Dust Cap E, EW-88C hood, LP1219 case and user manualET-87 hood and LZ1326 lens case according to the UK store; tripod mount ring included according to Canon's instruction manual
Release detailMarketed in September 2012 according to Canon Camera MuseumMarketed in September 2018 according to Canon Camera Museum; Canon USA's 7 June announcement had scheduled US shipping for August 2018

More comparisons