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Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III 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 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USMCanonEF 70–200mm f/4L IS II USM
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2018June 2018
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length70–200 mm70–200 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/4
Minimum aperturef/32f/32
Optical construction23 elements in 19 groups; retains the optical layout of the EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS II USM20 elements in 15 groups
Special elementsOne fluorite and five UD elementsOne fluorite and two UD elements
CoatingsAir Sphere Coating and revised optical coatings; fluorine coating on front and rear element surfacesSuper 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 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 supportEF1.4X 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 distance1.2 m1 m
Maximum magnification0.21×0.27×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailRing-type USM; full-time manual override after One-Shot autofocus while holding the shutter button halfwayRing-type USM with full-time manual focus override
Focus distance detailInternal focusing; maximum 0.21× magnification at 200 mmMaximum 0.27× magnification at 200 mm; internal focusing according to Digital Camera World
Stabilisation detailUp 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 conditionsFive-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 diameter88.8 mm80 mm
Length199 mm176 mm
Weight1,480 g780 g
ControlsAF/MF, IS on/off and IS mode switches; focus limiter selects 1.2 m–infinity or 2.5 m–infinityAF/MF, IS on/off and three IS mode switches; focus limiter excludes distances below 3 m according to Digital Camera World
Zoom designInternal zooming maintains physical length (Digital Camera World)Internal zooming maintains physical length according to Digital Camera World
Weather resistanceDust- and moisture-resistant construction with a rubber gasket at the mountDust- and moisture-resistant construction
Dimensions detail88.8 mm maximum diameter × 199 mm length, measured from the mount to the lens front; add 24.2 mm for front and rear caps80 mm maximum diameter × 176 mm length
Weight detailApproximately 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 gApproximate 780 g maker figure; Digital Camera World specifies this excludes the optional tripod mount
Tripod mountIncluded removable rotating B (W II) tripod mount ring; detach the lens from the camera before removing the collarOptional A II (W II) tripod mounting ring according to Digital Camera World; the maker photograph shows this separately sold accessory
Lens hoodET-87, with release button and reversible mounting for storage–
In the boxET-87 hood and LZ1326 lens case according to the UK store; tripod mount ring included according to Canon's instruction manualLens, pouch, caps, hood and instruction manual according to Canon UK
Release detailMarketed in September 2018 according to Canon Camera Museum; Canon USA's 7 June announcement had scheduled US shipping for August 2018Canon 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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