Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM vs Canon EF 70–200mm f/4L IS USM

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EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM compared with EF 70–200mm f/4L IS USM

	CanonEF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM	CanonEF 70–200mm f/4L IS USM
Overview
Released
Released	September 2018	November 2006
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	70–200 mm	70–200 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/4
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/32	f/32
Optical construction
Optical construction	23 elements in 19 groups; retains the optical layout of the EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS II USM	20 elements in 15 groups
Special elements
Special elements	One fluorite and five UD elements	One fluorite and two UD elements
Coatings
Coatings	Air Sphere Coating and revised optical coatings; fluorine coating on front and rear element surfaces	Super Spectra coatings
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Eight blades with a circular aperture	Eight blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view
Angle of view	Diagonal 34°–12°; vertical 19°30′–7°; horizontal 29°–10°	Diagonal 34°–12°; vertical 19°30′–7°; horizontal 29°–10°
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Canon EF	Canon EF
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Compatibility
Compatibility	Canon EF mount full-frame and APS-C cameras	Canon EF mount full-frame and APS-C cameras
Teleconverter support
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	EF1.4X II gives 98–280 mm f/5.6 and 0.31× maximum magnification with autofocus; EF2X II gives 140–400 mm f/8 and 0.45×, with autofocus limited to compatible bodies and slower operation
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	1.2 m	1.2 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.21×	0.21×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Ring-type USM; full-time manual override after One-Shot autofocus while holding the shutter button halfway	Ring-type USM; full-time manual override after One-Shot autofocus while holding the shutter button halfway
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Internal focusing; maximum 0.21× magnification at 200 mm	Internal focusing with a non-rotating front; maximum 0.21× magnification at 200 mm
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	Up 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	Four-stop launch claim based on a shutter speed of 1/focal length; Mode 1 for still subjects and Mode 2 for panning; manual recommends switching off on a tripod to save battery power
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	77 mm	67 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	88.8 mm	76 mm
Length
Length	199 mm	172 mm
Weight
Weight	1,480 g	760 g (better)
Controls
Controls	AF/MF, IS on/off and IS mode switches; focus limiter selects 1.2 m–infinity or 2.5 m–infinity	AF/MF, IS on/off and IS mode switches; focus limiter selects 1.2 m–infinity or 3 m–infinity
Zoom design
Zoom design	Internal zooming maintains physical length (Digital Camera World)	Internal zooming maintains physical length
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Dust- and moisture-resistant construction with a rubber gasket at the mount	Dust- and moisture-resistant construction with a rubber gasket at the mount
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	88.8 mm maximum diameter × 199 mm length, measured from the mount to the lens front; add 24.2 mm for front and rear caps	76 mm maximum diameter × 172 mm length, measured from the mount to the lens front without caps
Weight detail
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	760 g lens only according to Canon's instruction manual
Tripod mount
Tripod mount	Included removable rotating B (W II) tripod mount ring; detach the lens from the camera before removing the collar	Optional A II (W) tripod mount ring; collar can be removed while the lens remains attached to the camera
Lens hood
Lens hood	ET-87, with release button and reversible mounting for storage	ET-74, reversible for storage
In the box
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	Lens hood and pouch according to Canon's launch announcement; ET-74 and LP1224 models identified in the instruction manual
Release detail
Release detail	Marketed in September 2018 according to Canon Camera Museum; Canon USA's 7 June announcement had scheduled US shipping for August 2018	Marketed in November 2006 according to Canon Camera Museum; the stabilised model was sold alongside the non-stabilised f/4 version