Canon EF 16-35mm F/2.8L III 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 III USM
78
WINNER
|
Canon · f/4 · Canon EF mount
Canon EF 17-40mm F/4L USM
59
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EF 16-35mm F/2.8L III USM and the Canon EF 17-40mm F/4L USM are both L-series zoom lenses for the Canon EOS system, and both cover full-frame bodies. They share the EF mount, so either lens attaches directly to the same EF camera. The 16-35mm F/2.8L III arrived in 2016, thirteen years after the 17-40mm F/4L. | ||
| Release Year | 2016 | 2003 |
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 | 78/100 |
Read the Physical ComparisonPhysicalThe 17-40mm F/4L is the lighter lens to pack, weighing 500g against 790g for the 16-35mm F/2.8L III, a 290g saving. It is also shorter at 97mm versus 127.5mm and slimmer at 84mm versus 88.5mm. Both accept front filters, but the threads differ, 77mm on the 17-40mm and 82mm on the 16-35mm, so direct-fit filters do not interchange between them. | ||
| Lens Weight | 790 g | 500 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
88.5 mm | 84 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
127.5 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 | 81/100 | 67/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 16-35mm F/2.8L III is the stronger choice for handheld work in dim interiors and evening events, holding f/2.8 across its whole zoom range where the 17-40mm F/4L is limited to f/4. Its 16mm end fits slightly wider scenes than the 17mm end, while the 17-40mm reaches 40mm for a little tighter framing than 35mm. Close focus matches at 28cm, and maximum magnification is effectively a tie at 0.25x against 0.24x, so both render foreground detail at a similar scale. | ||
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 |
9020 | 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 |
0.25x | 0.24x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | 52/100 | 32/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe 16-35mm F/2.8L III has a fluorine coating on its front element, which helps water and dust bead off and makes smudges easier to wipe away. The 17-40mm F/4L does not have this coating, so its front element needs more deliberate cleaning. Both lenses carry weather sealing for shooting in dusty or damp conditions. Neither offers image stabilization, 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 | No |
| 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 | 69/100 | 32/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionThe 16-35mm F/2.8L III is the more elaborate optical design, with 16 elements in 11 groups, including three aspherical elements and two low-dispersion elements. The 17-40mm F/4L uses 12 elements in 9 groups, including one aspherical element and one super-low-dispersion element. The 16-35mm F/2.8L III uses internal focusing, so its barrel does not extend while it focuses. The 17-40mm F/4L does not use an internal focusing design. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
16 | 12 |
| Groups | 11 | 9 |
Aspherical Elements ⓘThe number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration. |
3 | 1 |
Bi Aspherical Elements ⓘElements with two non-spherical surfaces |
2 | 0 |
Low Dispersion ⓘElements that reduce chromatic aberration |
2 | 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. |
 Yes | No |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For dim interiors, evening events, handheld wide-angle work, or starry-sky scenes, the EF 16-35mm F/2.8L III USM is the clear pick. Its constant f/2.8 aperture gives one stop of extra working room over the f/4 lens, and the fluorine coating and internal focusing support heavy field use.
If you mostly shoot landscapes stopped down on a tripod in daylight, the EF 17-40mm F/4L USM still covers nearly the same range at 500g and reaches 40mm rather than 35mm. The aperture difference matters little when shutter speed is free.