Canon EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM vs Sigma 24-70mm F/2.8 DG OS HSM | A — Which Is Better?
Side by side43 specifications |
Canon · f/2.8 · Canon EF mount
Canon EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM
87
WINNER
|
Sigma · f/2.8 · Nikon F mount
Sigma 24-70mm F/2.8 DG OS HSM | A
77
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM is a 2012 standard zoom for Canon EOS bodies, while the Sigma 24-70mm F/2.8 DG OS HSM Art followed in 2017, here in Nikon F mount. Sigma also produced this Art zoom in Canon EF fit, so EOS owners can consider both. Both are full-frame zooms covering the same 24-70mm range at a constant f/2.8, the classic wedding and travel formula. | ||
| Release Year | 2012 | 2017 |
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 | I |
Pro Branding ⓘSpecific branding codes used for professional-tier lenses. |
L | Art |
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 | Nikon F |
System ⓘIndicates which camera system the lens is designed to attach to. |
Canon EOS | Nikon F |
Maximum Format ⓘLargest sensor size compatible with the lens. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
| Physical | 100/100 | 92/100 |
Read the Physical ComparisonPhysicalThe Canon is the lighter carry: 805 g against 1200 g for the Sigma, a 395 g difference. The Sigma is the more compact tube, 107.6 mm long and 88 mm across against 113 mm and 89 mm, so it takes slightly less room in a bag. Both take the same 82 mm front filters, so a polariser or ND filter bought for one screws directly onto the other. Mount fit is fixed: the Canon is EF only, while the Sigma version compared here is Nikon F. | ||
| Lens Weight | 805 g | 1200 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
89 mm | 88 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
113 mm | 107.6 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 | 82 mm |
| Optics | 81/100 | 81/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsA single lens can carry a wedding from wide reception at 24mm to portrait at 70mm, and both hold a constant f/2.8 across that range. You keep the same maximum aperture while zooming, so neither lens trades speed for reach. Close-up working distance is a near match: the Sigma focuses to 37 cm and the Canon to 38 cm. Both offer a 0.21x maximum magnification for detail shots of rings, food or flowers, and each uses an automatic nine-blade diaphragm. | ||
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) |
24–70 mm | 24–70 mm |
Aperture Range ⓘLargest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end) |
2.8 | 2.8 |
| Focal Length Angle of View | 84.07°–34.35° | 84.06668552322992°–34.34976958695978° |
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. |
38 cm01500 | 37 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced |
0.21x | 0.21x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | 52/100 | 73/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesOptical stabilisation is the deciding feature difference, and it favours the Sigma. Its OS system is rated at 4 stops, support for handheld shooting in dim interiors and evening streets. The Canon offers no built-in stabilisation, so low-light handheld work needs faster shutter speeds or camera support. Protection and cleaning are shared. Both lenses have weather sealing for outdoor work, and both carry a fluorine coating that helps the front element shed water, oil and smudges for quick field cleaning. A zoom lock on each stops the barrel creeping when carried. | ||
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. |
N/A | 4 stops |
| Construction | 32/100 | 31/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionThe Sigma builds its image from 19 elements in 14 groups, against 18 in 13 for the Canon. Each design includes one aspherical element and one low-dispersion element aimed at reducing chromatic aberration, and the Canon adds one super-low-dispersion element. Neither uses internal focusing, so the barrel extends during focusing on both. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
18 | 19 |
| Groups | 13 | 14 |
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
For handheld shooting in low light, the Sigma is the stronger choice: its 4-stop OS supports dim interiors and evening scenes without a tripod, which the Canon cannot match. That benefit is worth its 395 g of extra weight for handheld work.
Choose the Canon EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM when weight matters most, such as long documentary days or hiking with one body, or when the work sits on a tripod and stabilisation goes unused. Nikon F shooters have one option in this pair: the Sigma.