Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM vs Canon EF-S 17–55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM compared with EF-S 17–55mm f/2.8 IS USM

	CanonEF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM	CanonEF-S 17–55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Overview
Released
Released	September 2018	May 2006
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	70–200 mm	17–55 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/2.8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/32	f/22
Optical construction
Optical construction	23 elements in 19 groups; retains the optical layout of the EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS II USM	19 elements in 12 groups
Special elements
Special elements	One fluorite and five UD elements	Three aspherical elements, including one glass-moulded and two replica elements; two UD elements according to Canon Japan
Coatings
Coatings	Air Sphere Coating and revised optical coatings; fluorine coating on front and rear element surfaces	Super Spectra coatings according to Canon UK
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Eight blades with a circular aperture	Seven blades with a circular aperture according to Canon Camera Museum
Angle of view
Angle of view	Diagonal 34°–12°; vertical 19°30′–7°; horizontal 29°–10°	Horizontal 68°40′–23°20′, vertical 48°–15°40′, diagonal 78°30′–27°50′
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Canon EF	Canon EF-S
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	APS-C
Compatibility
Compatibility	Canon EF mount full-frame and APS-C cameras	Canon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras; equivalent angle of view to 27–88 mm on full frame
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	Canon extenders are not compatible
Adaptor support
Adaptor support	–	Canon UK confirms EOS M compatibility using the EF-EOS M adapter
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	1.2 m	0.35 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.21×	0.17×
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	USM autofocus with full-time manual override; distance information is transmitted for E-TTL II flash metering according to Canon UK
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Internal focusing; maximum 0.21× magnification at 200 mm	Internal focusing keeps lens length constant during focusing; front element does not rotate according to Photozone
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	–	Maximum 0.17× at 55 mm according to Canon Japan; EF12 II extension tube and 500D close-up lens supported, 250D close-up lens not supported
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	Canon states three shutter-speed stops of optical correction; Canon Japan lists no coordinated correction with camera IBIS
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	No
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	77 mm	77 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	88.8 mm	83.5 mm
Length
Length	199 mm	110.6 mm
Weight
Weight	1,480 g	645 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 and stabiliser switches; distance window and rear focus ring
Zoom design
Zoom design	Internal zooming maintains physical length (Digital Camera World)	Extends towards the telephoto end according to Photozone and ePHOTOzine
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Dust- and moisture-resistant construction with a rubber gasket at the mount	Canon Japan lists no dust or drip resistance
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	83.5 mm maximum diameter × 110.6 mm length according to Canon
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	–
Tripod mount
Tripod mount	Included removable rotating B (W II) tripod mount ring; detach the lens from the camera before removing the collar	–
Lens hood
Lens hood	ET-87, with release button and reversible mounting for storage	EW-83J hood and LP1219 pouch are optional accessories; Canon UK's box list includes neither. Canon Camera Museum's price table says case and built-in hood, conflicting with the UK package and separately listed removable EW-83J hood
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, E77II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E and user manual according to Canon UK
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	Canon Camera Museum records May 2006 marketing. Canon Japan records announcement on 22 February and Japanese first sale on 31 May 2006; a separately established UK first-sale day is not published in these sources.