Canon EF 17-40mm F/4L 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 17-40mm F/4L USM
59
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 17-40mm F/4L USM and the Canon EF 24-70mm F/4L IS USM are Canon EOS L-series zoom lenses from 2003 and 2012, one covering ultra-wide scenes and the other the standard range. Both cover the full-frame format and carry the same professional L branding, so either works as a full-frame zoom on an EOS body. | ||
| Release Year | 2003 | 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 | 78/100 | 100/100 |
Read the Physical ComparisonPhysicalThe 17-40mm is the lighter lens to carry, at 500 g against 600 g for the 24-70mm. The two stay close in size, 97 mm against 93 mm long and 84 mm against 83.4 mm across. Both accept the same 77 mm front filters, so a polariser or ND filter you already own screws onto either lens directly. | ||
| Lens Weight | 500 g | 600 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
84 mm | 83.4 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
97 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 | 67/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 17-40mm is the stronger choice for architecture, interiors and wide landscapes, opening at 17 mm where the 24-70mm starts at 24 mm. The 24-70mm answers with 70 mm of reach for portraits and events, past the wide zoom's 40 mm ceiling. Both keep a constant f/4 maximum aperture, so your exposure setting holds as you zoom. Close-up work favours the 17-40mm: it focuses to 28 cm against 38 cm, and its maximum magnification reaches 0.24x against 0.21x. The wide zoom also zooms internally, so its barrel does not extend as you zoom. | ||
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) |
17–40 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 | 103.68°–56.82° | 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 |
0.24x | 0.21x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | 32/100 | 73/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe 24-70mm is the better-equipped lens for handheld shooting in dim rooms, offering image stabilization rated at four stops where the 17-40mm has none. Its fluorine front coating repels water and oil, so fingerprints and rain spots wipe away easily. It adds a zoom lock against creep, and both lenses are weather sealed for dusty or wet conditions. | ||
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 | 32/100 | 31/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionThe 24-70mm uses the larger optical formula, 15 elements in 12 groups against 12 elements in 9 groups for the 17-40mm. The wide zoom includes one super-low-dispersion element, a type the 24-70mm does not use. Both designs share a single aspherical element and one low-dispersion element. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
12 | 15 |
| Groups | 9 | 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 |
1 | 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
Pick the EF 24-70mm F/4L IS USM if one standard zoom must cover most of your shooting: its 24-70mm span handles walk-around travel, portraits and events, and the four-stop stabilizer supports handheld pictures indoors. Pick the EF 17-40mm F/4L USM when frames must open wider, for real-estate interiors, architecture and landscapes, or for its closer 28 cm focus. Both share weather sealing, so let the focal range and the stabilizer decide.