Canon EF 16-35mm F/2.8L II USM vs Canon EF 17-40mm F/4L USM — Which Is Better?
Side by side42 specifications |
Canon · f/2.8 · Canon EF mount
Canon EF 16-35mm F/2.8L II USM
83
WINNER
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Canon · f/4 · Canon EF mount
Canon EF 17-40mm F/4L USM
59
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EF 16-35mm F/2.8L II USM and Canon EF 17-40mm F/4L USM are L-series wide-angle zooms for Canon EOS full-frame bodies. The 16-35mm II arrived in 2007, four years after the 2003 17-40mm, so it is the newer design. Both carry the same professional L branding and full-frame coverage, which keeps the choice focused on aperture, size and weight. | ||
| Release Year | 2007 | 2003 |
Production Status ⓘCurrent status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued). |
 Discontinued |  In Production |
Version ⓘThe iteration or release number of a particular lens model. |
II | N/A |
Pro Branding ⓘSpecific branding codes used for professional-tier lenses. |
L | L |
Lens Mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF | Canon EF |
System ⓘIndicates which camera system the lens is designed to attach to. |
Canon EOS | Canon EOS |
Maximum Format ⓘLargest sensor size compatible with the lens. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
| Physical | 100/100 | 78/100 |
Read the Physical ComparisonPhysicalThe 17-40mm is the smaller and lighter lens, at 500 g against 635 g for the 16-35mm II, a saving of 135 g. It is also shorter, at 97 mm versus 112 mm, and slimmer at 84 mm versus 89 mm in diameter. Front threads differ, with 77 mm on the 17-40mm and 82 mm on the 16-35mm II, so each takes different direct-fit filters. | ||
| Lens Weight | 635 g | 500 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
89 mm | 84 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
112 mm | 97 mm |
Front Filter Compatible ⓘSome lenses are compatible with front filters, some are compatible with back filters and some are compatible with both. Front filters are usually more convenient to add and remove. |
 Yes | Yes |
Front Filter Size ⓘDiameter of attachable filters. |
82 mm | 77 mm |
| Optics | 77/100 | 67/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 16-35mm II is the stronger choice for dim interiors and evening street work, thanks to its constant f/2.8 maximum aperture against the 17-40mm's constant f/4. That one-stop advantage keeps shutter speeds usable inside venues and permits shallower depth for wide environmental portraits. The 17-40mm counters at the long end, reaching 40mm against 35mm, while the 16-35mm II starts slightly wider at 16mm. Both focus as close as 28 cm, with maximum magnification of 0.24x for the 17-40mm against 0.22x for the 16-35mm II. | ||
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) |
16–35 mm | 17–40 mm |
Aperture Range ⓘLargest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end) |
2.8 | 4 |
| Focal Length Angle of View | 107.03°–63.44° | 103.68°–56.82° |
Flange Focal Distance ⓘDistance from lens mount to sensor. |
44 mm | 44 mm |
Diaphragm Type ⓘStructure and design of the aperture |
 Automatic | Automatic |
Blades ⓘNumber of diaphragm blades in aperture |
7020 | 7020 |
Zoom Lens ⓘZoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups |
 Yes | Yes |
Zoom Mechanism ⓘSystem enabling zoom function |
 Manual | Manual |
Zoom Ring ⓘIf zooming is adjusted using a zoom ring |
 Yes | Yes |
Zoom Type ⓘThe design or approach to zooming |
 Rotary | Rotary |
Closest Focusing Distance ⓘMinimum distance for a subject to be in focus. |
28 cm01500 | 28 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced |
0.22x | 0.24x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | 32/100 | 32/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing is a shared strength, so both suit landscape and reportage work in rain or dust. Neither lens offers image stabilisation, a fluorine coating, a zoom lock or teleconverter compatibility, so you will depend on body settings for handheld work in low light. | ||
Weather Sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
Fluorine Coating ⓘCoating to repel water and oil from lens elements. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Built In Lens Hood | ✗ | ✗ |
| Lens Hood Type |  Petal | Petal |
Zoom Lock ⓘZoom lock allows the zoom ring to be locked at the desired focal length |
✗ | ✗ |
Teleconverter ⓘA teleconverter (extender) is an extra piece of equipment that fits between the lens and the camera body to enhance magnification |
✗ | ✗ |
| Image Stabilization | ✗ | ✗ |
| Construction | 31/100 | 32/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionThe 16-35mm II uses the larger optical formula, with 16 elements in 12 groups against 12 elements in 9 groups for the 17-40mm. Both designs include one aspherical element and one low-dispersion element, and the 17-40mm also includes one super-low-dispersion element. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
16 | 12 |
| Groups | 12 | 9 |
Aspherical Elements ⓘThe number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration. |
1 | 1 |
Bi Aspherical Elements ⓘElements with two non-spherical surfaces |
0 | 0 |
Low Dispersion ⓘElements that reduce chromatic aberration |
1 | 1 |
Super Low Dispersion ⓘAdvanced elements further reducing chromatic aberration |
0 | 1 |
CA Reduction ⓘBuilt-in features to reduce chromatic aberration |
0 | 0 |
Internal Focusing ⓘInternal Focusing means that the lens does not change in size during focusing, and the front element does not rotate. |
✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the 16-35mm II if you shoot handheld in low light, such as weddings, interiors or dusk cityscapes, where its constant f/2.8 buys a full stop over the 17-40mm. Choose the 17-40mm for tripod-based landscape and travel photography, where f/4 normally suffices and its lighter 500 g build and extra reach to 40mm serve well. With weather sealing, 28 cm close focus and the EF mount shared, the aperture difference should anchor your decision.