Canon EF 200mm f/1.8L USM vs Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM
Side-by-side comparison from our catalogue data. Better values are highlighted only where a clear difference exists.
Verdict at a glance
- Canon EF 200mm f/1.8L USM is faster by 0.3 stops (f/1.8 vs f/2.0), letting in more light.
- Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM is lighter by 480g.
- Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM is the newer design (2008 vs 1988).
| Spec | EF 200mm f/1.8L USM | EF 200mm f/2L IS USM |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Canon | Canon |
| Mount | Canon EF | Canon EF |
| Type | Telephoto | Telephoto |
| Focal length | 200mm | 200mm |
| Max aperture | f/1.8 (faster) | f/2.0 |
| Released | 1988 | 2008 |
| Blades | 8 | 8 |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Groups | 10 | 12 |
| Af motor | USM | USM |
| Elements | 12 | 17 |
| Weight g | 3000.0 | 2520.0 (lighter) |
| Length mm | 208.0 | 208.0 |
| Diameter mm | 130.0 | 128.0 |
| Min focus m | 2.5 | 1.9 (closer focusing) |
| Max magnification | 0.09 | 0.12 |
| Stabilized | n/a | Yes |
Canon EF 200mm f/1.8L USM
An enormous 1988 telephoto prime with f/1.8 as its widest aperture. It is a collector's lens more than a practical field tool.
Pros
- f/1.8 aperture
- Well-corrected optics
- Ultrasonic focus drive
Cons
- About 3kg in weight
- No stabilization
- Very rare
Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM
Canon's 2008 stabilized 200mm f/2 prime, built like a super-telephoto with a rear drop-in filter slot. It weighs about 2.5kg.
Pros
- f/2 aperture with image stabilization
- Strong sharpness wide open
- Fast ring USM
- Weather-resistant build
Cons
- About 2.5kg in weight
- Large and long for a 200mm
- Minimum focus of 1.9m