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Canon EF 24–70mm f/4L IS 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/4L IS USMCanonEF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM
Overview
ReleasedDecember 2012September 2018
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length24–70 mm70–200 mm
Maximum aperturef/4f/2.8
Minimum aperturef/22f/32
Optical construction15 elements in 12 groups23 elements in 19 groups; retains the optical layout of the EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Special elementsTwo aspherical and two UD elementsOne fluorite and five UD elements
CoatingsSuper Spectra coatings; Canon also specifies easy-clean lens-element coatingsAir 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 viewHorizontal 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 mount full-frame and APS-C camerasCanon 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
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.2 m1.2 m
Maximum magnification0.7×0.21×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
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 detailNormal minimum focus 0.38 m; dedicated macro mode reaches 0.2 m according to Canon Camera Museum; approximately 3 cm working distance at maximum magnification (Bob Atkins)Internal focusing; maximum 0.21× magnification at 200 mm
Magnification detailMaximum 0.21× in normal operation and 0.7× in the separate macro position beyond the telephoto end–
Stabilisation detailFour-stop optical IS claim; automatic panning detection; Hybrid IS compensates angular and shift movements in macro modeUp 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 diameter83.4 mm88.8 mm
Length93 mm199 mm
Weight600 g1,480 g
ControlsMacro/zoom-lock switch; AF/MF and IS switches; focus ring, zoom ring and distance scaleAF/MF, IS on/off and IS mode switches; focus limiter selects 1.2 m–infinity or 2.5 m–infinity
Zoom designBarrel extends towards 70 mm; zoom lock operates at 24 mm (Bob Atkins)Internal zooming maintains physical length (Digital Camera World)
Weather resistanceSealed against dust and moistureDust- and moisture-resistant construction with a rubber gasket at the mount
Dimensions detail83.4 mm maximum diameter × 93 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-83L hood; Canon lists LP1219 pouch as an accessoryET-87, with release button and reversible mounting for storage
In the box–ET-87 hood and LZ1326 lens case according to the UK store; tripod mount ring included according to Canon's instruction manual
Release detailMarketed in December 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

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