Canon EF 24–70mm f/2.8L 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

EF 24–70mm f/2.8L USM compared with EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM
CanonEF 24–70mm f/2.8L USMCanonEF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2002September 2018
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length24–70 mm70–200 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/2.8
Minimum aperturef/22f/32
Optical construction16 elements in 13 groups23 elements in 19 groups; retains the optical layout of the EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Special elementsTwo aspherical elements and one UD elementOne fluorite and five UD elements
Coatings–Air Sphere Coating and revised optical coatings; fluorine coating on front and rear element surfaces
DiaphragmEight blades with a circular apertureEight blades with a circular aperture
Angle of viewDiagonal 84°–34°; vertical 53°–19°30′; horizontal 74°–29°Diagonal 34°–12°; vertical 19°30′–7°; horizontal 29°–10°
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon EFCanon EF
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityCanon EF mount full-frame and APS-C camerasCanon EF mount full-frame and APS-C cameras
Teleconverter supportCanon EF1.4X II and EF2X II extenders are incompatibleEF1.4X 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
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.38 m1.2 m
Maximum magnification0.29×0.21×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailRing-type USM (OpticalLimits); manual override after autofocus in One-Shot AF with the shutter button held halfwayRing-type USM; full-time manual override after One-Shot autofocus while holding the shutter button halfway
Focus distance detail0.38 m minimum focus throughout the zoom range; maximum 0.29× magnification at 70 mm; non-rotating front filter thread (ePHOTOzine and OpticalLimits)Internal focusing; maximum 0.21× magnification at 200 mm
Stabilisation detailNo optical image stabilisation (ePHOTOzine)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 diameter77 mm77 mm
Maximum diameter83.2 mm88.8 mm
Length123.5 mm199 mm
Weight950 g (better)1,480 g
ControlsFocus mode switch, focus ring, zoom ring, distance scale and infrared indexAF/MF, IS on/off and IS mode switches; focus limiter selects 1.2 m–infinity or 2.5 m–infinity
Zoom designReverse zoom mechanism; longest at 24 mm and shortest at 70 mm, with the hood enclosing the moving front section (OpticalLimits)Internal zooming maintains physical length (Digital Camera World)
Weather resistanceDust- and drip-resistant seal structure; rubber ring around the lens mountDust- and moisture-resistant construction with a rubber gasket at the mount
Dimensions detail83.2 mm maximum diameter × 123.5 mm length; maker dimensions and weight are for the lens alone, excluding caps88.8 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-83F; can be reversed for storageET-87, with release button and reversible mounting for storage
In the boxE-77U front cap, rear cap, EW-83F hood and LP1219 lens case (manual accessory names; ePHOTOzine box contents)ET-87 hood and LZ1326 lens case according to the UK store; tripod mount ring included according to Canon's instruction manual
Release detailCanon Camera Museum's original-model table records November 2002; its later Mark II retrospective instead refers to September 2002Marketed in September 2018 according to Canon Camera Museum; Canon USA's 7 June announcement had scheduled US shipping for August 2018

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