Canon EF 16-35mm F/2.8L III 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 III USM
78
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 III USM is a fast ultra-wide zoom for architecture, interiors and expansive landscapes, while the Canon EF 24-105mm F/4L IS II USM is a standard-range general-purpose zoom. Both carry Canon's L branding, both cover full frame, and both were released in 2016. They share the Canon EF mount and Canon EOS system, so either fits the same EF-mount bodies. | ||
| Release Year | 2016 | 2016 |
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 | 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 24-105mm is the slightly more compact lens, at 118 mm long and 83.5 mm across, against 127.5 mm and 88.5 mm for the 16-35mm. Weight is nearly identical at 795 g versus 790 g. Filter threads differ, with 77 mm on the 24-105mm and 82 mm on the 16-35mm, so direct-fit filters will not swap between them. | ||
| Lens Weight | 790 g | 795 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
88.5 mm | 83.5 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
127.5 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 | 81/100 | 73/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 16-35mm is the faster lens for dim interiors and evening street work, holding a constant f/2.8 where the 24-105mm stays at f/4. In exchange, the 24-105mm offers three times the reach, extending to 105mm for tight portraits and distant details that a 35mm ceiling cannot frame. Close focusing favours the wide zoom for foreground detail, reaching 28 cm against 45 cm. Maximum magnification is nearly matched between them, recorded at 0.25x for the 16-35mm and 0.24x for the 24-105mm. | ||
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 |
9020 | 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 |
0.25x | 0.24x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | 52/100 | 73/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe 24-105mm offers image stabilisation rated at four stops, steadying handheld frames of static subjects in fading light. It also has a zoom lock that keeps the barrel from creeping during transport. The 16-35mm offers neither. Both lenses are weather sealed, and both front elements carry a fluorine coating that repels water and oil for easier cleaning. | ||
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 |
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 | 69/100 | 15/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionThe 16-35mm carries the more elaborate optical formula, pairing three aspherical elements, two of them bi-aspherical, with two low-dispersion elements. Internal focusing keeps its barrel length fixed while focusing. The 24-105mm uses 17 elements in 12 groups with a single aspherical element, and its barrel extends as you zoom toward 105mm. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
16 | 17 |
| Groups | 11 | 12 |
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 | 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. |
 Yes | No |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the 16-35mm F/2.8L III for ultra-wide landscapes, interiors and night skies where its constant f/2.8 aperture counts. Choose the 24-105mm F/4L IS II as a one-lens travel kit, since its 24 to 105mm range and stabilisation cover group shots, portraits and handheld detail work without swapping glass. Architecture and event photographers get more from the fast wide zoom; general travel benefits from the stabilised standard zoom.