Canon EF 16-35mm F/4L IS USM vs Canon EF 24-70mm F/4L IS USM — Which Is Better?
Side by side42 specifications |
Canon · f/4 · Canon EF mount
Canon EF 16-35mm F/4L IS USM
76
SCORE
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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/4L IS USM and the Canon EF 24-70mm F/4L IS USM are both L-series full-frame zooms for Canon EOS EF-mount bodies, so the choice comes down to focal range rather than system. The 16-35mm arrived in 2014, the 24-70mm in 2012. Each keeps a constant f/4 maximum aperture, so exposure stays consistent as you zoom. | ||
| Release Year | 2014 | 2012 |
Production Status ⓘCurrent status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued). |
 In Production | In Production |
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 easier lens to pack, measuring 93mm long against 112.8mm, and it weighs 600g against 615g. The 16-35mm zooms internally, so its length stays constant while zooming. Diameters are nearly identical at 83.4mm and 82.6mm. A shared 77mm filter thread means one filter set fits both lenses directly, so a single polariser or ND collection covers them. | ||
| Lens Weight | 615 g | 600 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
82.6 mm | 83.4 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
112.8 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. |
77 mm | 77 mm |
| Optics | 71/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsFocal range is the real decision. The 16-35mm starts at 16mm, 8mm wider than the 24-70mm, making it the pick for architecture, interiors and sweeping landscapes where you cannot step back. The 24-70mm answers with a 70mm long end, twice the reach, tightening framings for portraits, events and detail shots from one position. The 16-35mm also focuses closer, at 28cm against 38cm, and reaches slightly higher maximum magnification at 0.23x versus 0.21x, useful for foreground interest in wide scenes. Both use autofocus with a manual focusing ring. | ||
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) |
4 | 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 |
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 | 38 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced |
0.23x | 0.21x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | 73/100 | 73/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesBoth lenses offer 4-stop image stabilization, weather sealing and a fluorine coating that helps shed water and oil for easier cleaning. The practical difference is the zoom lock: the 24-70mm has one to stop the barrel extending in a bag, while the 16-35mm does without, though its internal zoom keeps the barrel from extending anyway. | ||
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. |
4 stops | 4 stops |
| Construction | 54/100 | 31/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionThe 16-35mm carries more correction glass in its 16-element, 12-group design, with three aspherical and two low-dispersion elements against one of each in the 24-70mm's 15-element layout. Aspherical and low-dispersion elements are used to control distortion and colour fringing, so the wider lens takes on more of that correction work. The 16-35mm also focuses internally, so the barrel does not move while focusing. The 24-70mm extends when zooming, and its front barrel travels during focusing. | ||
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. |
3 | 1 |
Bi Aspherical Elements ⓘElements with two non-spherical surfaces |
0 | 0 |
Low Dispersion ⓘElements that reduce chromatic aberration |
2 | 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. |
 Yes | No |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For architecture, interiors, real estate and wide landscapes, the Canon EF 16-35mm F/4L IS USM is the right lens, and its 28cm closest focus adds foreground flexibility. For portraits, events and travel, the Canon EF 24-70mm F/4L IS USM doubles the reach and packs shorter.
Either way you get the same constant f/4 aperture, 4-stop stabilization, weather sealing and fluorine coating.