Canon RF 15-35mm F/2.8L IS USM vs Canon RF 24-105mm F/4L IS USM — Which Is Better?
Side by side43 specifications |
Canon · f/2.8 · Canon RF mount
Canon RF 15-35mm F/2.8L IS USM
79
WINNER
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Canon · f/4 · Canon RF mount
Canon RF 24-105mm F/4L IS USM
74
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon RF 15-35mm F/2.8L IS USM and Canon RF 24-105mm F/4L IS USM are both L-series zooms for the Canon EOS R system, built for full-frame RF-mount bodies. They answer different photographic needs: the 15-35mm from 2019 covers ultra-wide to wide scenes, while the 2018 24-105mm spans standard through short telephoto. | ||
| Release Year | 2019 | 2018 |
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. |
N/A | I |
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 RF | Canon RF |
System ⓘIndicates which camera system the lens is designed to attach to. |
Canon EOS R | Canon EOS R |
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 lighter and more compact of the two, at 700 g and 107.3 mm long against 840 g and 126.8 mm for the 15-35mm. Its 83.5 mm diameter also sits 5 mm slimmer than the wide zoom's 88.5 mm. Both lenses share the Canon RF mount and accept front filters, but at different thread sizes. The 24-105mm takes 77 mm filters directly, while the 15-35mm takes 82 mm, so a filter that fits one will not thread straight onto the other. | ||
| Lens Weight | 840 g | 700 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. |
126.8 mm | 107.3 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 | 71/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 15-35mm is the better pick for dim interiors and night skies, because it holds f/2.8 across its entire range, a full stop wider than the 24-105mm's constant f/4. Its 15 mm end also fits architecture and expansive landscapes that the 24-105mm simply cannot frame. For reach, the 24-105mm wins by a wide margin, extending to 105 mm rather than 35 mm. That extra length suits portraits, details and travel scenes without changing lenses. Its maximum magnification reaches 0.24x, slightly ahead of the 15-35mm's 0.21x, while the 15-35mm focuses closer at 28 cm against 45 cm. | ||
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) |
15–35 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 | 110.53°–63.44° | 84.07°–23.29° |
Flange Focal Distance ⓘDistance from lens mount to sensor. |
20 mm | 20 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 | 45 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced |
0.21x | 0.24x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | 78/100 | 78/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesStabilization, sealing and easy cleaning are shared strengths. Both lenses offer image stabilization rated at 5 stops, weather sealing against dust and moisture, and a fluorine coating that helps the front element shed dust and smudges for simple wiping. One control difference separates them: the 24-105mm has a zoom lock, so you can fix the barrel at your chosen focal length, while the 15-35mm does not. Neither lens supports teleconverters. | ||
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. |
5 stops | 5 stops |
| Construction | 31/100 | 31/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionTheir optical layouts differ in scale. The 24-105mm builds its range from 18 elements in 14 groups, while the 15-35mm uses 16 elements in 12 groups. Each design incorporates three aspherical elements, which help control distortion and keep the design compact for its range. For colour fringing, the 15-35mm carries two low-dispersion elements against one in the 24-105mm, glass types used to reduce chromatic aberration. Both share a nine-blade automatic diaphragm for consistent aperture control. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
16 | 18 |
| Groups | 12 | 14 |
Aspherical Elements ⓘThe number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration. |
3 | 3 |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the 15-35mm if your shooting leans on the wide and fast side: milky-way panoramas, candlelit interiors and cathedral interiors all benefit from its f/2.8 aperture and 15 mm field of view. Add its 28 cm close focus for dramatic foreground detail in wide compositions.
Choose the 24-105mm if one lens should cover a whole travel day, from street scenes at 24 mm to compressed portraits at 105 mm, in a lighter 700 g build with a zoom lock for transit. For landscape, architecture and low-light work as the priority, the 15-35mm is the stronger choice; for versatile everyday framing, the 24-105mm earns the nod.