Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM vs Canon EF 200mm f/1.8L 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 13.6 stops (f/1.8 vs f/200.0), letting in more light.
- Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM is lighter by 2235g.
- Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM is the newer design (1996 vs 1988).
| Spec | EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM | EF 200mm f/1.8L USM |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Canon | Canon |
| Mount | Canon EF | Canon EF |
| Type | Prime | Telephoto |
| Focal length | 200mm | 200mm |
| Max aperture | f/200.0 | f/1.8 (faster) |
| Released | 1996 | 1988 |
| Blades | 8 | 8 |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Groups | 7 | 10 |
| Af motor | USM | USM |
| Elements | 9 | 12 |
| Weight g | 765.0 (lighter) | 3000.0 |
| Filter mm | 72 | n/a |
| Length mm | 136.2 | 208.0 |
| Diameter mm | 83.2 | 130.0 |
| Min focus m | 1.5 (closer focusing) | 2.5 |
| Max magnification | 0.16 | 0.09 |
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM
The EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM is a compact 200mm telephoto prime with an f/2.8 aperture, popular for sports and portraits. Light for its speed and focal length.
Pros
- f/2.8 aperture
- Light for a 200mm (765 g)
- Sharp
- Fast focus
Cons
- No stabilization
- Long minimum focus distance (1.5 m)
- Single focal length
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