Canon EF 24-105mm F/4L IS II USM vs Canon EF 24-70mm F/4L IS USM — Which Is Better?
Side by side43 specifications |
Canon · f/4 · Canon EF mount
Canon EF 24-105mm F/4L IS II USM
73
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 24-105mm F/4L IS II USM and the Canon EF 24-70mm F/4L IS USM are L-series standard zooms for Canon EOS full-frame bodies. Both use the EF mount, so either fits the same cameras as a single-lens walkaround. The 24-105mm II arrived in 2016, the 24-70mm in 2012. | ||
| Release Year | 2016 | 2012 |
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. |
II | 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 24-70mm is the lighter, more compact travel companion at 600 g against 795 g, and 93 mm long next to 118 mm. That 195 g saving and shorter barrel make it easier to carry all day and pack in a smaller bag. The barrels differ by only 0.1 mm in diameter, and both take 77 mm front filters, so one polariser or ND set serves either lens without adapters. | ||
| Lens Weight | 795 g | 600 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
83.5 mm | 83.4 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
118 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 | 73/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 24-105mm II is the clear choice for more reach without changing lenses, extending to 105 mm where the 24-70mm stops at 70 mm. That extra 35 mm helps tighten a portrait or isolate a detail across a room when swapping lenses is impractical. Both start at 24 mm, so wide coverage matches. Close work splits in two directions. The 24-70mm focuses closer at 38 cm against 45 cm, letting you step nearer to a small subject. The 24-105mm II reaches higher maximum magnification, 0.24x versus 0.21x, for a modestly larger rendering of flowers or product details when you fill the frame. Both hold a constant f/4 from 24 mm to their telephoto end, so neither is brighter at any focal length they share. | ||
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) |
24–105 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 | 84.07°–23.29° | 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 |
10020 | 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. |
45 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 | 73/100 | 73/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing on both suits either lens to outdoor shooting in changeable conditions, and the fluorine coating on both front elements makes dust and smudges easier to wipe off in the field. Both offer image stabilisation rated at four stops, useful for handheld work in dim interiors or at dusk. Both include a zoom lock to stop the extending barrel from creeping when the lens hangs from a shoulder, and neither is teleconverter compatible. | ||
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 |
 Yes | 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 | 15/100 | 31/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionThe 24-70mm includes one low-dispersion element, a type used to reduce chromatic aberration, while the 24-105mm II includes none. The 24-105mm II spreads 17 elements across 12 groups, two more elements than the 24-70mm's 15. Both use extending rotary zoom barrels with manual zoom rings. Neither uses internal focusing, so the barrel front moves during focusing on both. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
17 | 15 |
| Groups | 12 | 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 |
0 | 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EF 24-105mm F/4L IS II USM if you want one lens for wide interiors through tighter portraits and distant details, with its 0.24x magnification favouring close-up product or flower shots. Choose the Canon EF 24-70mm F/4L IS USM if your shooting rarely goes beyond 70 mm or you want the lighter daily carry. Either way you get the same f/4 aperture, four-stop stabilisation, weather sealing and 77 mm filter thread.