Canon EF 70–200mm f/4L USM vs Canon EF 80–200mm f/2.8L
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonEF 70–200mm f/4L USM | CanonEF 80–200mm f/2.8L | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | September 1999 | September 1989 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Zoom |
| Focal length | 70–200 mm | 80–200 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 | f/32 |
| Optical construction | 16 elements in 13 groups | 16 elements in 13 groups |
| Special elements | One fluorite and two UD elements | – |
| Diaphragm | Eight blades | Eight blades |
| Angle of view | Diagonal 34°–12°; vertical 19°30′–7°; horizontal 29°–10° | – |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Canon EF | Canon EF |
| Image circle | Full frame | Full frame |
| Compatibility | Canon EF mount full-frame and APS-C cameras | Canon EF mount full-frame and APS-C cameras |
| Teleconverter support | Compatible with Canon EF1.4X and EF2X extenders; The Digital Picture notes EF1.4X II gives 98–280 mm f/5.6 and EF2X II gives 140–400 mm f/8, with camera-dependent autofocus at f/8 | Not compatible with Canon EF extenders according to Bob Atkins |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 1.2 m | 1.8 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.21× | 0.13× |
| Optical stabilisation | No | No |
| Autofocus detail | Ring-type USM with mechanical full-time manual focus override | Autofocus without USM or full-time manual override according to Bob Atkins; Ken Rockwell identifies an Arc Form Drive motor |
| Focus distance detail | Internal focusing; front does not rotate (The Digital Picture); maximum 0.21× magnification at 200 mm | Non-rotating front during focusing according to Bob Atkins; internal focusing according to Ken Rockwell |
| Stabilisation detail | – | No optical image stabilisation according to Ken Rockwell |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | No | – |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | 72 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 76 mm | 84 mm |
| Length | 172 mm | 185.7 mm |
| Weight | 705 g | – |
| Controls | AF/MF switch and focus limiter, with full 1.2 m–infinity range or 3 m–infinity (ePHOTOzine) | Separate zoom and focus rings; focus limiter and manual focus switch according to Bob Atkins |
| Zoom design | Internal zooming maintains physical length (ePHOTOzine and The Digital Picture) | Internal zooming maintains physical length according to Ken Rockwell |
| Weather resistance | Not weather sealed according to The Digital Picture | – |
| Dimensions detail | 76 mm maximum diameter × 172 mm length | 84 mm maximum diameter × 185.7 mm length |
| Weight detail | 705 g according to Canon's UK specifications and Camera Museum | Canon Camera Museum specifies 1,330 g without identifying whether the collar is included. Ken Rockwell measures 1,276.4 g without the collar and 1,411.95 g with it; these are sample measurements, not the maker's lens-only figure. |
| Tripod mount | Optional Ring Tripod Mount A (W) at launch; The Digital Picture also identifies compatible A II (W) | Removable tripod collar according to Bob Atkins |
| Lens hood | ET-74 | Supplied hood according to Bob Atkins; Ken Rockwell identifies ES-79 |
| In the box | Lens hood and case according to Canon Camera Museum; tripod collar sold separately | Lens hood and hard case according to Bob Atkins |
| Release detail | Marketed in September 1999 according to Canon Camera Museum | Marketed in September 1989 according to Canon Camera Museum; Canon identifies the March 1995 EF 70–200mm f/2.8L USM as its successor |
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