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Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8L 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 70–200mm f/2.8L IS USMCanonEF 70–200mm f/4L IS II USM
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2001June 2018
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length70–200 mm70–200 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/4
Minimum aperturef/32f/32
Optical construction23 elements in 18 groups20 elements in 15 groups
Special elementsFour UD elementsOne fluorite and two UD elements
Coatings–Super 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 II gives 98–280 mm f/4 and 0.24× maximum magnification; EF2X II gives 140–400 mm f/5.6 and 0.36×; autofocus supported but slower–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance1.4 m1 m
Maximum magnification0.17×0.27×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailRing-type USM (The Digital Picture); manual override after One-Shot autofocus while holding the shutter button halfwayRing-type USM with full-time manual focus override
Focus distance detailInternal focusing with a non-rotating front; maximum 0.17× magnification at 200 mmMaximum 0.27× magnification at 200 mm; internal focusing according to Digital Camera World
Stabilisation detailThree-stop optical IS claim; Mode 1 for general shooting and Mode 2 for panning; Canon manual recommends switching off on a tripod to save battery powerFive-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 diameter86.2 mm80 mm
Length197 mm176 mm
Weight1,470 g780 g
ControlsAF/MF, IS on/off and IS mode switches; focus limiter selects 1.4 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 (ePHOTOzine and The Digital Picture)Internal zooming maintains physical length according to Digital Camera World
Weather resistanceSealed against dust and moisture; rubber gasket around the lens mountDust- and moisture-resistant construction
Dimensions detail86.2 mm maximum diameter × 197 mm length; lens dimensions exclude caps80 mm maximum diameter × 176 mm length
Weight detail1,470 g lens alone; 1,590 g with the tripod collar according to Canon's instruction manualApproximate 780 g maker figure; Digital Camera World specifies this excludes the optional tripod mount
Tripod mountIncluded removable rotating collar; 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-86, reversible for storage–
In the boxLens hood, tripod collar and lens case (The Digital Picture); manual identifies ET-86 hood, E-77U cap and LZ1324 caseLens, pouch, caps, hood and instruction manual according to Canon UK
Release detailMarketed in September 2001 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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