Canon EF 16-35mm F/2.8L II USM vs Canon EF 24-105mm F/4L IS II USM — Which Is Better?
Side by side43 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 24-105mm F/4L IS II USM
73
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EF 16-35mm F/2.8L II USM and the Canon EF 24-105mm F/4L IS II USM are both L-series zooms for Canon EOS cameras. Both share the Canon EF mount and full-frame coverage, so either fits the same EF bodies. They are also second-generation designs, nine years apart: 2007 for the 16-35mm and 2016 for the 24-105mm. | ||
| Release Year | 2007 | 2016 |
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 | II |
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 | 100/100 |
Read the Physical ComparisonPhysicalThe 16-35mm is the lighter lens at 635 g against 795 g, and also the shorter at 112 mm versus 118 mm. The 24-105mm is the slimmer, at 83.5 mm diameter against 89 mm. Both accept front filters, but their threads differ, 82 mm on the 16-35mm and 77 mm on the 24-105mm, so direct-fit filters do not swap between them. | ||
| Lens Weight | 635 g | 795 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
89 mm | 83.5 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
112 mm | 118 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 | 73/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 16-35mm is the stronger choice for wide scenes and dim venues, holding f/2.8 across its whole zoom range while the 24-105mm stays at f/4. Its 16mm end covers architecture and tight interiors that the 24-105mm's 24mm cannot reach. The 24-105mm answers with three times the telephoto reach at 105mm for portraits and distant details. Zooming extends the 24-105mm's barrel, while the 16-35mm zooms internally. The 16-35mm is the stronger close-focus choice, focusing as near as 28 cm against 45 cm for the 24-105mm. The 24-105mm offers the higher maximum magnification, 0.24x versus 0.22x. Both offer autofocus, manual focus and a manual zoom ring. | ||
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) |
16–35 mm | 24–105 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° | 84.07°–23.29° |
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 | 10020 |
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 | 45 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 | 73/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe 24-105mm is the more self-sufficient walkaround lens. It offers 4-stop image stabilization for handheld shooting at f/4, plus a zoom lock that stops the barrel creeping when carried pointed down. A fluorine coating on its front element makes dust and smudges easier to wipe away. The 16-35mm has none of these, so low-light handheld work leans on its f/2.8 aperture. Weather sealing is a shared specification, useful for outdoor shooting, and neither lens is teleconverter compatible. | ||
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. |
No |  Yes |
| 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 |
No |  Yes |
Teleconverter ⓘA teleconverter (extender) is an extra piece of equipment that fits between the lens and the camera body to enhance magnification |
✗ | ✗ |
| Image Stabilization | ✗ | ✓ |
IS Efficiency ⓘIS efficiency refers to the effectiveness of the image stabilization system in compensating for the blurring effects of camera shake, quantified by the number of stops of stabilization it provides. |
N/A | 4 stops |
| Construction | 31/100 | 15/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionBoth lenses arrange their glass in 12 groups, and each includes one aspherical element, a type used to control distortion. The 16-35mm uses 16 elements, including one low-dispersion element, a type used to restrain chromatic aberration. The 24-105mm uses 17 elements in the same 12 groups. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
16 | 17 |
| Groups | 12 | 12 |
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 | 0 |
Super Low Dispersion ⓘAdvanced elements further reducing chromatic aberration |
0 | 0 |
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
Pick the EF 16-35mm F/2.8L II USM when your work lives at the wide end: interiors, architecture and event rooms. Its f/2.8 aperture keeps shutter speeds usable handheld, and its 28 cm close focus helps fill the frame with a foreground subject.
Pick the EF 24-105mm F/4L IS II USM as a single-lens travel and general-purpose option. One lens covers 24mm scenes through 105mm portraits, and its 4-stop stabilization supports handheld shots at rest, such as evening streets or church interiors. Pair the 16-35mm with a fast standard or telephoto zoom for width and reach. Choose the 24-105mm alone when one-lens versatility matters most.