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Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS USM vs Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS 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 85mm f/1.4L IS USM
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2001November 2017
Optics
Lens typeZoomPrime
Focal length70–200 mm85 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/1.4
Minimum aperturef/32f/22
Optical construction23 elements in 18 groupsFourteen elements in ten groups
Special elementsFour UD elementsHigh-precision glass-moulded aspherical lens according to Canon
Coatings–Air Sphere Coating (ASC) according to Canon
DiaphragmEight blades with a circular apertureNine blades with a circular aperture
Angle of viewDiagonal 34°–12°; vertical 19°30′–7°; horizontal 29°–10°28°30′ diagonal, 24° horizontal and 16° vertical
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon EFCanon EF
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityCanon EF mount full-frame and APS-C camerasCanon EF cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensors
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 slowerNot compatible with Canon extenders according to Canon UK's specification sheet
Adaptor support–Canon UK confirms EOS M compatibility using the EF-EOS M Mount Adapter
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance1.4 m0.85 m
Maximum magnification0.17×0.12×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailRing-type USM (The Digital Picture); manual override after One-Shot autofocus while holding the shutter button halfwayRing USM with full-time manual override according to Canon UK
Focus distance detailInternal focusing with a non-rotating front; maximum 0.17× magnification at 200 mmInternal focusing according to ePHOTOzine
Magnification detail–Canon UK specifies 0.15–0.26× with EF12 II and 0.33–0.43× with EF25 II extension tubes
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 powerFour-stop optical stabilisation, tested at 85 mm with EOS-1D X Mark II to CIPA standards according to Canon
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesYes
Filter diameter77 mm77 mm
Maximum diameter86.2 mm88.6 mm
Length197 mm105.4 mm
Weight1,470 g950 g
ControlsAF/MF, IS on/off and IS mode switches; focus limiter selects 1.4 m–infinity or 2.5 m–infinityAF/MF and stabiliser on/off switches, manual focus ring, distance window and depth-of-field markings
Zoom designInternal zooming maintains physical length (ePHOTOzine and The Digital Picture)–
Weather resistanceSealed against dust and moisture; rubber gasket around the lens mountDust and moisture resistance according to Canon UK
Dimensions detail86.2 mm maximum diameter × 197 mm length; lens dimensions exclude caps88.6 mm maximum diameter × 105.4 mm length; approximately 950 g according to Canon
Weight detail1,470 g lens alone; 1,590 g with the tripod collar according to Canon's instruction manual–
Tripod mountIncluded removable rotating collar; detach the lens from the camera before removing the collar–
Lens hoodET-86, reversible for storageSupplied ET-83E hood according to Canon UK
In the boxLens hood, tripod collar and lens case (The Digital Picture); manual identifies ET-86 hood, E-77U cap and LZ1324 caseLens, ET-83E hood, E-77II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E, LP1219 pouch and user manual according to Canon UK
Release detailMarketed in September 2001 according to Canon Camera MuseumCanon Camera Museum records November 2017 marketing; a first-sale day is not given

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