Canon EF 24–70mm f/2.8L II USM vs Canon EF 70–200mm f/4L IS II 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 70–200mm f/4L IS II USM

	CanonEF 24–70mm f/2.8L II USM	CanonEF 70–200mm f/4L IS II USM
Overview
Released
Released	September 2012	June 2018
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	24–70 mm	70–200 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/4
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/32
Optical construction
Optical construction	18 elements in 13 groups	20 elements in 15 groups
Special elements
Special elements	Three aspherical elements, two UD elements and one Super UD element	One fluorite 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; fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements according to Canon's US launch announcement
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°	–
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	1 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.21×	0.27×
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 focus override
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Internal focusing; filter thread does not rotate during focusing (DPReview)	Maximum 0.27× magnification at 200 mm; internal focusing according to Digital Camera World
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Maximum 0.21× at 70 mm	–
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	No optical image stabilisation (DPReview and OpticalLimits)	Five-stop CIPA claim at 200 mm on an EOS-1D X Mark II; three modes including exposure-only stabilisation for tracking moving subjects
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	82 mm	72 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	88.5 mm	80 mm
Length
Length	113 mm	176 mm
Weight
Weight	805 g	780 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Separate focus and zoom rings; zoom lock lever	AF/MF, IS on/off and three IS mode switches; focus limiter excludes distances below 3 m according to Digital Camera World
Zoom design
Zoom design	Lens extends when zoomed towards 70 mm; zoom lock holds the 24 mm position (DPReview)	Internal zooming maintains physical length according to Digital Camera World
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Dust and moisture resistant structure at the mount, switch panel and zoom ring	Dust- and moisture-resistant construction
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	88.5 mm maximum diameter × 113 mm length in the retracted state	80 mm maximum diameter × 176 mm length
Weight detail
Weight detail	–	Approximate 780 g maker figure; Digital Camera World specifies this excludes the optional tripod mount
Tripod mount
Tripod mount	–	Optional A II (W II) tripod mounting ring according to Digital Camera World; the maker photograph shows this separately sold accessory
Lens hood
Lens hood	EW-88C	–
In the box
In the box	Lens, E-82 U front cap, Lens Dust Cap E, EW-88C hood, LP1219 case and user manual	Lens, pouch, caps, hood and instruction manual according to Canon UK
Release detail
Release detail	Marketed in September 2012 according to Canon Camera Museum	Canon Japan announced first sale on 28 June 2018; Canon Camera Museum gives June 2018 and the US launch announcement states late June. The day is the Japanese sale date, not a separately confirmed UK date.