In this review, we will be comparing Canon 16-35mm f4L IS USM and Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM, two Wideangle Zoom lenses by Canon. Both lenses have the same focal range of 16-35mm but different max apertures: Canon 16-35mm f4L IS USM has a max aperture of F4.0 while the Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM has a max aperture of F2.8.
We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.
What type of photography are the Canon 16-35mm f4L IS USM and Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM lenses good for?
The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Canon 16-35mm f4L IS USM and the Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:
| Photography Type |
Canon 16-35mm f4L IS USM |
Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM |
| Bird/Wildlife | Poor | Poor |
| Sports | Poor | Poor |
| Portrait | Fair | Fair |
| Travel | Good | Good |
| Street | Good | Good |
| Wedding | Fair | Fair |
| Walk Around | Good | Good |
| Vlogging | Very Good | Very Good |
| Landscape | Very Good | Very Good |
| Macro | Fair | Fair |
Size and Weight Comparison
Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Canon 16-35mm f4L IS USM is the longer of the two lenses at 113mm. The Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM with a length of 103mm is 10mm shorter. On the other hand, the Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM has a larger diameter of 84mm compared to Canon 16-35mm f4L IS USM's 83mm diameter.
Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM weighs 600g, 2% (15g) lighter than the Canon 16-35mm f4L IS USM's weight of 615g.
Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Wideangle Zoom Lenses in Canon EF Mount for size comparison purposes.
Wideangle Zoom Lenses in Canon EF Mount for Size Comparison
Lens Mounts
Both Canon 16-35mm f4L IS USM and Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM has the same Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF lenses are Canon 1D X III, Canon 6D MII and Canon 5D MIV.
Focal Range