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Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM vs Canon EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS II

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-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS II
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2018July 2011
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length70–200 mm55–250 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/4–5.6
Minimum aperturef/32f/22–32
Optical construction23 elements in 19 groups; retains the optical layout of the EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS II USM12 elements in 10 groups
Special elementsOne fluorite and five UD elementsUD glass element
CoatingsAir Sphere Coating and revised optical coatings; fluorine coating on front and rear element surfacesSuper Spectra coatings according to Canon's UK launch announcement
DiaphragmEight blades with a circular apertureSeven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of viewDiagonal 34°–12°; vertical 19°30′–7°; horizontal 29°–10°Horizontal 23°20′–5°20′; vertical 15°40′–3°30′; diagonal 27°50′–6°15′
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon EFCanon EF-S
Image circleFull frameAPS-C
CompatibilityCanon EF mount full-frame and APS-C camerasCanon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras; 88–400 mm equivalent field of view
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 slowerEF1.4X III and EF2X III cannot be used according to the instruction manual
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance1.2 m1.1 m
Maximum magnification0.21×0.31×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailRing-type USM; full-time manual override after One-Shot autofocus while holding the shutter button halfwayMove the AF/MF switch to MF before manually turning the focus ring; the manual forbids adjusting manual focus in AF mode
Focus distance detailInternal focusing; maximum 0.21× magnification at 200 mmMinimum focus distance 1.1 m throughout the zoom range; maximum 0.31× magnification at 250 mm; front and focus ring rotate during autofocus according to Ken Rockwell
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 conditionsFour-stop launch claim based on 1/(focal length × 1.6) shutter speed; automatically compensates across the direction of panning; manual recommends switching IS off on a tripod to save battery
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYes–
Filter diameter77 mm58 mm
Maximum diameter88.8 mm70 mm
Length199 mm108 mm
Weight1,480 g390 g
ControlsAF/MF, IS on/off and IS mode switches; focus limiter selects 1.2 m–infinity or 2.5 m–infinity–
Zoom designInternal zooming maintains physical length (Digital Camera World)Barrel extends towards longer focal lengths according to Ken Rockwell
Weather resistanceDust- and moisture-resistant construction with a rubber gasket at the mount–
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 caps70 mm maximum diameter × 108 mm length from the mount to the lens front without caps
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 390 g lens-only figure in Canon's instruction manual
Tripod mountIncluded removable rotating B (W II) tripod mount ring; detach the lens from the camera before removing the collar–
Lens hoodET-87, with release button and reversible mounting for storageOptional ET-60; reversible 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 manualFront and rear caps according to Ken Rockwell; Canon's manual identifies the hood and LP1019 pouch as optional
Release detailMarketed in September 2018 according to Canon Camera Museum; Canon USA's 7 June announcement had scheduled US shipping for August 2018Canon Camera Museum and Canon's UK launch announcement give July 2011 first availability. Canon identifies the 2007 EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS as its predecessor; the II retains its optical design and changes the exterior.

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