Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM vs Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
Side-by-side comparison from our catalogue data. Better values are highlighted only where a clear difference exists.
Verdict at a glance
- Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM is faster by 6.2 stops (f/2.8 vs f/24.0), letting in more light.
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM is lighter by 280g.
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM reaches further (105mm vs 70mm).
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM is the newer design (2014 vs 2012).
| Spec | EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM | EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Canon | Canon |
| Mount | Canon EF | Canon EF |
| Type | Zoom | Superzoom |
| Focal length | 24-70mm | 24-105mm |
| Max aperture | f/2.8 (faster) | f/24.0 |
| Released | 2012 | 2014 |
| Blades | 9 | 7 |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Groups | 13 | 13 |
| Af motor | USM | STM |
| Elements | 18 | 17 |
| Weight g | 805.0 | 525.0 (lighter) |
| Filter mm | 82 | 77 |
| Length mm | 113.0 | 104.0 |
| Diameter mm | 88.5 | 83.4 |
| Min focus m | 0.38 (closer focusing) | 0.4 |
| Max magnification | 0.21 | 0.3 |
| Stabilized | n/a | Yes |
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
The second generation of Canon's pro standard zoom, with a constant f/2.8 aperture and weather sealing for demanding full-frame work.
Pros
- Constant f/2.8
- Sharp across the zoom range
- Weather-sealed
- Wide-to-short-tele range
Cons
- No image stabilization
- Heavy (about 800 g)
- Large 82mm filter thread
Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
A lighter, non-L alternative to the 24-105mm f/4L with a stepping motor, stabilization and full-frame coverage. Aimed at video-friendly kit use.
Pros
- Lighter than the L zoom
- STM focusing suits video
- Image stabilization
- Closer minimum focus distance (0.4 m)
Cons
- Variable aperture limits low-light use
- No weather sealing
- Barrel distortion at 24mm