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Canon EF 24–70mm f/4L IS 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/4L IS USMCanonEF 70–200mm f/4L IS II USM
Overview
ReleasedDecember 2012June 2018
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length24–70 mm70–200 mm
Maximum aperturef/4f/4
Minimum aperturef/22f/32
Optical construction15 elements in 12 groups20 elements in 15 groups
Special elementsTwo aspherical and two UD elementsOne fluorite and two UD elements
CoatingsSuper Spectra coatings; Canon also specifies easy-clean lens-element coatingsSuper Spectra coatings; fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements according to Canon's US launch announcement
DiaphragmNine blades with a circular apertureNine blades with a circular aperture
Angle of viewHorizontal 74°–29°; vertical 53°–19°30′; diagonal 84°–34°–
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
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.2 m1 m
Maximum magnification0.7×0.27×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailRing-type USM with full-time manual overrideRing-type USM with full-time manual focus override
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)Maximum 0.27× magnification at 200 mm; internal focusing according to Digital Camera World
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 modeFive-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 diameter83.4 mm80 mm
Length93 mm176 mm
Weight600 g780 g
ControlsMacro/zoom-lock switch; AF/MF and IS switches; focus ring, zoom ring and distance scaleAF/MF, IS on/off and three IS mode switches; focus limiter excludes distances below 3 m according to Digital Camera World
Zoom designBarrel extends towards 70 mm; zoom lock operates at 24 mm (Bob Atkins)Internal zooming maintains physical length according to Digital Camera World
Weather resistanceSealed against dust and moistureDust- and moisture-resistant construction
Dimensions detail83.4 mm maximum diameter × 93 mm length in the retracted state80 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
In the box–Lens, pouch, caps, hood and instruction manual according to Canon UK
Lens hoodEW-83L hood; Canon lists LP1219 pouch as an accessory–
Release detailMarketed in December 2012 according to Canon Camera MuseumCanon 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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