Canon EF 16-35mm F/2.8L II USM vs Canon EF 24-70mm F/4L IS 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
SCORE
|
Canon · f/4 · Canon EF mount
Canon EF 24-70mm F/4L IS USM
90
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EF 16-35mm F/2.8L II USM and Canon EF 24-70mm F/4L IS USM are both L-series zooms for Canon EOS full-frame bodies with different jobs. The 2007 16-35mm II is an ultra-wide specialist for architecture and interiors. The 2012 24-70mm is the classic walkaround zoom. They share the Canon EF mount and full-frame coverage, so either lens fits the same EOS bodies. | ||
| Release Year | 2007 | 2012 |
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 | 100/100 |
Read the Physical ComparisonPhysicalThe 24-70mm is the more compact carry: 93mm long and 600g, against 112mm and 635g for the 16-35mm. Its 83.4mm barrel is slimmer than the 89mm wide-angle, so it needs less depth in a camera bag. Their filter threads differ, so direct-fit filters do not swap between them: 82mm on the 16-35mm and 77mm on the 24-70mm. Both accept front filters for screw-in polarisers and ND filters. | ||
| Lens Weight | 635 g | 600 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
89 mm | 83.4 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
112 mm | 93 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 | 71/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 16-35mm is the stronger choice for the widest view: it starts at 16mm, eight millimetres wider than the 24-70mm, enough to frame a whole room interior. The 24-70mm reaches 70mm, twice the wide zoom's telephoto end, for portraits and details. Their ranges overlap only from 24mm to 35mm. The 16-35mm also holds a constant f/2.8, wider than the 24-70mm's f/4, admitting more light for dim interiors and evening work. It focuses closer, 28cm against 38cm, with near-identical maximum magnification of 0.22x versus 0.21x. It zooms internally, keeping a constant length, while the 24-70mm extends. | ||
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) |
16–35 mm | 24–70 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°–34.35° |
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 | 9020 |
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 | 38 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced |
0.22x | 0.21x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | 32/100 | 73/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesImage stabilisation is the practical divide: the 24-70mm offers it, rated at four stops, while the 16-35mm does not. That support helps for handheld shots at slower shutter speeds, suiting travel and interior work. The 24-70mm also has a fluorine coating, which helps the front element shed dust and smudges for easier cleaning, plus a zoom lock. Both lenses carry weather sealing, and neither 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 | 31/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionBoth lenses use 12 groups with one aspherical and one low-dispersion element, and neither uses internal focusing or a floating element system. The element count is the only construction difference, 16 elements in the 16-35mm against 15 in the 24-70mm. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
16 | 15 |
| 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 | 1 |
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
Choose the 16-35mm if ultra-wide work is the point: real-estate interiors, architecture and dim event rooms draw on 16mm and the f/2.8 aperture. Choose the 24-70mm as a one-lens travel and people companion, with its coverage, four-stop stabilisation and easy-cleaning fluorine glass.
There is no single winner between them. Both are weather-sealed L-series EF zooms for full-frame Canon bodies, so match the lens to your subjects.