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Canon EF 24–70mm f/2.8L USM vs Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM

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-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2002May 2017
Optics
Lens typeZoomPrime
Focal length24–70 mm35 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/2.8
Minimum aperturef/22f/32
Optical construction16 elements in 13 groups10 elements in six groups
Special elementsTwo aspherical elements and one UD elementOne aspherical element shown in Canon Camera Museum's optical diagram
Aperture detail–Minimum f/32 with one-third-stop aperture increments
DiaphragmEight blades with a circular apertureSeven blades; circular aperture according to Canon Camera Museum
Angle of viewDiagonal 84°–34°; vertical 53°–19°30′; horizontal 74°–29°Horizontal 35°55′, vertical 24°20′, diagonal 42°35′
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon EFCanon EF-S
Image circleFull frameAPS-C
CompatibilityCanon EF mount full-frame and APS-C camerasCanon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras; equivalent angle of view to 56 mm on full frame
Teleconverter supportCanon EF1.4X II and EF2X II extenders are incompatibleCanon EF extenders are not compatible
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.38 m0.13 m
Maximum magnification0.29×1×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailRing-type USM (OpticalLimits); manual override after autofocus in One-Shot AF with the shutter button held halfwaySTM autofocus; electronic manual focusing requires the camera to be awake according to Dustin Abbott
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)0.13 m minimum focus measured from the image plane; approximately 30 mm working distance from the lens front at life-size magnification according to Canon Japan
Magnification detail–Maximum 1×; EF12 II extension tube gives 0.34–1.41× and EF25 II gives 0.76–1.91× according to Canon UK
Stabilisation detailNo optical image stabilisation (ePHOTOzine)Hybrid IS compensates for angular and lateral movement; Canon states four stops of correction, with effectiveness depending on shooting distance
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYes–
Filter diameter77 mm49 mm
Maximum diameter83.2 mm69.2 mm
Length123.5 mm55.8 mm
Weight950 g190 g
ControlsFocus mode switch, focus ring, zoom ring, distance scale and infrared indexMacro Lite can illuminate both sides or either side individually, with brightness control; AF/MF and stabiliser switches
Filter detail–49 mm filter attaches to the ES-27 hood; Canon Japan specifies one filter and removing the hood to use Macro Lite illumination
Zoom designReverse zoom mechanism; longest at 24 mm and shortest at 70 mm, with the hood enclosing the moving front section (OpticalLimits)–
Weather resistanceDust- and drip-resistant seal structure; rubber ring around the lens mount–
Dimensions detail83.2 mm maximum diameter × 123.5 mm length; maker dimensions and weight are for the lens alone, excluding caps69.2 mm maximum diameter × 55.8 mm retracted length
Lens hoodEW-83F; can be reversed for storageES-27 hood; LP1014 case is optional according to Canon Japan
In the boxE-77U front cap, rear cap, EW-83F hood and LP1219 lens case (manual accessory names; ePHOTOzine box contents)Lens, ES-27 hood, EF-S35 front cap, Lens Dust Cap E and warranty paperwork in Canon Japan's listed package
Release detailCanon Camera Museum's original-model table records November 2002; its later Mark II retrospective instead refers to September 2002Canon Camera Museum records May 2017 marketing. Canon Japan announced it on 6 April 2017 and records the Japanese first-sale date as 29 June 2017; a UK first-sale day is not established by these sources.

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