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Canon EF 24–70mm f/2.8L USM vs Canon EF 70–200mm f/4L IS II 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 USMCanonEF 70–200mm f/4L IS II USM
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2002June 2018
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length24–70 mm70–200 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/4
Minimum aperturef/22f/32
Optical construction16 elements in 13 groups20 elements in 15 groups
Special elementsTwo aspherical elements and one UD elementOne fluorite and two UD elements
Coatings–Super Spectra coatings; fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements according to Canon's US launch announcement
DiaphragmEight blades with a circular apertureNine blades with a circular aperture
Angle of viewDiagonal 84°–34°; vertical 53°–19°30′; horizontal 74°–29°–
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 incompatible–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.38 m1 m
Maximum magnification0.29×0.27×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailRing-type USM (OpticalLimits); manual override after autofocus in One-Shot AF with the shutter button held halfwayRing-type USM with full-time manual focus override
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)Maximum 0.27× magnification at 200 mm; internal focusing according to Digital Camera World
Stabilisation detailNo optical image stabilisation (ePHOTOzine)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 resistantYesYes
Filter diameter77 mm72 mm
Maximum diameter83.2 mm80 mm
Length123.5 mm176 mm
Weight950 g780 g
ControlsFocus mode switch, focus ring, zoom ring, distance scale and infrared indexAF/MF, IS on/off and three IS mode switches; focus limiter excludes distances below 3 m according to Digital Camera World
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 according to Digital Camera World
Weather resistanceDust- and drip-resistant seal structure; rubber ring around the lens mountDust- and moisture-resistant construction
Dimensions detail83.2 mm maximum diameter × 123.5 mm length; maker dimensions and weight are for the lens alone, excluding caps80 mm maximum diameter × 176 mm length
Weight detail–Approximate 780 g maker figure; Digital Camera World specifies this excludes the optional 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 hoodEW-83F; can be reversed for storage–
In the boxE-77U front cap, rear cap, EW-83F hood and LP1219 lens case (manual accessory names; ePHOTOzine box contents)Lens, pouch, caps, hood and instruction manual according to Canon UK
Release detailCanon Camera Museum's original-model table records November 2002; its later Mark II retrospective instead refers to September 2002Canon 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.

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