Canon EF 16-35mm F/2.8L III USM vs Canon EF 16-35mm 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 III USM
78
WINNER
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Canon · f/4 · Canon EF mount
Canon EF 16-35mm F/4L IS USM
76
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EF 16-35mm F/2.8L III USM and the Canon EF 16-35mm F/4L IS USM are L-series wide-angle zooms for Canon EOS full-frame bodies. Both use the Canon EF mount, so either lens fits the same EF-mount cameras. The F/2.8L III arrived in 2016, two years after the F/4L IS. | ||
| Release Year | 2016 | 2014 |
Production Status ⓘCurrent status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued). |
 In Production | In Production |
Version ⓘThe iteration or release number of a particular lens model. |
III | 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 F/4L IS is the lighter and more compact carry at 615 g, against 790 g for the F/2.8L III. It is also shorter at 112.8 mm against 127.5 mm, and slimmer at 82.6 mm versus 88.5 mm. The F/4L IS takes 77 mm front filters, while the F/2.8L III needs an 82 mm thread, so direct-fit filters do not transfer between them. Both lenses accept front filters. | ||
| Lens Weight | 790 g | 615 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
88.5 mm | 82.6 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
127.5 mm | 112.8 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 | 81/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe F/2.8L III is the better pick when light is short, holding f/2.8 across the whole zoom range, against f/4 on the F/4L IS at both ends. That wider aperture helps at dim wedding receptions and evening cityscapes, keeping shutter speeds up without raising ISO as far. Framing and close focus are shared ground. Both cover the same 16-35mm range, focus down to 0.9 ft (28 cm), and use a 9-blade diaphragm. Maximum magnification differs slightly, 0.25x on the F/2.8L III against 0.23x for the F/4L IS. | ||
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) |
16–35 mm | 16–35 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° | 107.03°–63.44° |
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 |
9020 | 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 | 28 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced |
0.25x | 0.23x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | 52/100 | 73/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe F/4L IS offers built-in image stabilization rated at 4 stops, which supports handheld shooting of static scenes at slower shutter speeds, such as tripod-free interiors or twilight architecture. The F/2.8L III has no stabilization. Protection and upkeep match. Both carry weather sealing for shooting in rain or dust, and both have a fluorine coating on the front element that makes fingerprints and water easier to wipe away. Neither offers a zoom lock or teleconverter compatibility. | ||
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. |
 Yes | 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 |
✗ | ✗ |
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 | 69/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionThe element counts are shared, with 16 elements in each lens, including 3 aspherical and 2 low-dispersion elements. The layouts differ, with the F/2.8L III built as 11 groups with 2 bi-aspherical elements, while the F/4L IS arranges its glass in 12 groups. Both lenses focus internally, so the barrel does not extend while focusing. That helps when working close to a subject or shooting through a window, since the front of the lens stays put. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
16 | 16 |
| Groups | 11 | 12 |
Aspherical Elements ⓘThe number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration. |
3 | 3 |
Bi Aspherical Elements ⓘElements with two non-spherical surfaces |
2 | 0 |
Low Dispersion ⓘElements that reduce chromatic aberration |
2 | 2 |
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. |
 Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Buy the F/2.8L III for moving subjects in dim light, such as wedding dances, candlelit interiors, or starry skies. Its f/2.8 aperture keeps shutter speeds up where the F/4L IS cannot, and 0.25x maximum magnification gives slightly more detail from near subjects.
Buy the F/4L IS if your wide-angle work is mostly static scenes and travel, since its 4-stop stabilization carries tripod-free interiors and dusk skylines. Focal range, weather sealing and the fluorine coating are shared, so neither lens wins on protection or framing.