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Canon EF 200mm F 2 8L II USM Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price:~£780Lens mount:Canon EFMaximum focal length:200 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):2.8Optical image stabilization:noMaximum angle of view:12 °

Canon EF 200mm F 2 8L II USM Review: Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Camera lenses category and whether it is worth buying.

6.3

Overall score

Score
6.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the camera lens's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best camera lenses on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
Score components

80%

5.7

Technical score

20%

8.4

User score

â–¼Worse than 72% of camera-lenses
5.7

Technical score

Technical score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 74% of models
Score components

35%

5.9

Optics & Aperture

24%

5.3

Build & Handling

20%

6.3

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

8.2

Mount & Format

â–¼Worse than 74% of camera-lenses
8.4

User score

User score
8.4/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 52% of models
Score components

70%

8.8

User ratings

30%

7.6

Number of reviews

Based on 414 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–²Better than 52% of camera-lenses
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Best prices

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of camera lens Canon EF 200mm F 2 8L II USM

Technical score
Technical score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 74% of models
Score components:

35%

5.9

Optics & Aperture

24%

5.3

Build & Handling

20%

6.3

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

8.2

Mount & Format

5.7
User score
User score
8.4/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 52% of models
Score components

70%

8.8

User ratings

30%

7.6

Number of reviews

Based on 414 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
8.4
Popularity
Popularity
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 54% of models
Popularity:
Canon EF 200mm F 2 8L II USM has a popularity score of 7.6 points, which is higher than 54% of camera lenses.
7.6
Value for money
Value for money
6.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the camera lens's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you want to know how much overall quality you get for the price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
Score components:

60%

6.3

Overall score

40%

6.4

Price

6.3
Lens type
telephoto prime
Lens mount
Canon EF
Sensor format coverage
Full-frame
Filter thread size
72 mm
Teleconverter compatibility
yes
Teleconverter compatibility
yes
â–² Better than 85% of models
This camera lens supports teleconverters. 15.2% of camera lenses support teleconverters.
Supports EF 1.4x and EF 2x extenders.
Show more
Minimum focal length
200 mm
Maximum focal length
200 mm
Optical zoom
N/A
Maximum angle of view
12 °
Minimum angle of view
12 °
Show more
Focus motor
ring USM
Minimum focus distance
1.5 m
Minimum focus distance
1.5 m
â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
This camera lens focuses as close as 1.5 m, which is farther than 93.1% of camera lenses and equal to 1.5% of camera lenses.
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.16xx
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.16x
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
This camera lens reaches a reproduction ratio of 0.16x, which is lower than 61.1% of camera lenses and equal to 3.1% of camera lenses.
Full-time manual focus
yes
Full-time manual focus
yes
â–² Better than 32% of models
This camera lens supports full-time manual focus. 68.3% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Internal focusing
yes
Internal focusing
yes
â–² Better than 16% of models
This camera lens supports internal focusing. 83.6% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Show more
Optical image stabilization
no
Optical image stabilization
no
â–¼ Worse than 29% of models
This camera lens does not support optical image stabilization. 29.1% of camera lenses include optical image stabilization.
Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
N/A
Weight
810 g
Weight
810 g
â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
This camera lens weighs 810 g, which is heavier than 75.3% of camera lenses and equal to the weight of 0.8% of camera lenses.
Lens length
136.2 mm
Lens length
136.2 mm
â–¼ Worse than 82% of models
Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
This camera lens is 136.2 mm long, which is longer than 82.5% of camera lenses and equal to the length of 0.1% of camera lenses.
Lens diameter
83.2 mm
Lens diameter
83.2 mm
â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
This camera lens has a diameter of 83.2 mm, which is wider than 66.8% of camera lenses and equal to that of 0.1% of camera lenses.
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
This camera lens does not support weather sealing. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
Metal mount
yes
Metal mount
yes
â–² Better than 6% of models
This camera lens uses a metal lens mount. 93.6% of camera lenses use a metal lens mount.
Show more
DxOMark overall score
?
DxOMark sharpness score
?
DxOMark transmission
?
DxOMark distortion
?
DxOMark vignetting
?
Show more

Canon EF 200mm F 2 8L II USM vs the average camera lens

246810TotalMount & FormatOptics & ApertureFocus & ControlsStabilizationBuild & HandlingLab Scores
  • Teleconverter compatible
    Teleconverter compatibility
    yes
    â–² Better than 85% of models
    This camera lens supports teleconverters, while the average camera lens does not.
    Supports EF 1.4x and EF 2x extenders.
  • Has focus distance scale
    Focus distance scale
    yes
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This camera lens has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
  • Has focus limiter switch
    Focus limiter switch
    yes
    â–² Better than 84% of models
    This camera lens has a focus limiter switch, the average camera lens does not. 16.4% of camera lenses include a focus limiter switch.
    Distance-range limiter positions.
  • Teleconverter compatible
    Teleconverter compatibility
    yes
    â–² Better than 85% of models
    This camera lens supports teleconverters, while the average camera lens does not.
    Supports EF 1.4x and EF 2x extenders.
  • Has focus distance scale
    Focus distance scale
    yes
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This camera lens has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
  • Has focus limiter switch
    Focus limiter switch
    yes
    â–² Better than 84% of models
    This camera lens has a focus limiter switch, the average camera lens does not. 16.4% of camera lenses include a focus limiter switch.
    Distance-range limiter positions.
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • No rounded blades
    Rounded aperture blades
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
    This camera lens does not use rounded aperture blades, the average camera lens does. 87.8% of camera lenses use rounded aperture blades.
    4 blades.
  • 2 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    Market range: <0 – >3
    This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    0 vs 2
  • 1 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    8
    â–¼ Worse than 56% of models
    Market range: <7 – >9
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (8 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    8 vs 9
  • 300 g heavier
    Weight
    810 g
    â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is heavier than the average camera lens (810 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    810 g vs 510 g
  • 43.95 mm longer lens
    Lens length
    136.2 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 82% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is longer than the average camera lens (136.2 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    136.2 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 1.2 m longer minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    1.5 m
    â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens has a higher minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (1.5 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    1.5 m vs 0.3 m
  • Older release date
    Release date
    1996
    â–¼ Worse than 97% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    March 1996
    1996 vs 2016
  • 9.1% worse value for money
    Canon EF 200mm F 2 8L II USM has a worse value-for-money score than the average camera lens (6.31 vs 6.9).
    6.31 vs 6.89
  • 47.2% more expensive
    Canon EF 200mm F 2 8L II USM is more expensive than the average camera lens (£780 vs £530).
    £780 vs £530
  • No rounded blades
    Rounded aperture blades
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
    This camera lens does not use rounded aperture blades, the average camera lens does. 87.8% of camera lenses use rounded aperture blades.
    4 blades.
  • 1 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    8
    â–¼ Worse than 56% of models
    Market range: <7 – >9
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (8 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    8 vs 9
  • 2 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    Market range: <0 – >3
    This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    0 vs 2
  • 1.2 m longer minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    1.5 m
    â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens has a higher minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (1.5 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    1.5 m vs 0.3 m
  • 0.03 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.16 x
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.2 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.16 x vs 0.192 x
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • 300 g heavier
    Weight
    810 g
    â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is heavier than the average camera lens (810 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    810 g vs 510 g
  • 43.95 mm longer lens
    Lens length
    136.2 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 82% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is longer than the average camera lens (136.2 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    136.2 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • Older release date
    Release date
    1996
    â–¼ Worse than 97% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    March 1996
    1996 vs 2016
  • 6.2 mm wider lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    83.2 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is wider than the average camera lens (83.2 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    83.2 mm vs 77 mm

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

T
the-digital-picture.com
20/10/2005
Summary of the review
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USMGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. Lens Review
L
lenstip.com
04/01/2012
Summary of the review
Canon EF 200 mm f/2.8L II USM review - Introduction
P
photozone.de
01 Mar 1996 (Updated later)
Summary of the review
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 L USM II - APS-C Review / Test Report
S
sharkandpalm.com
27/08/2018
Summary of the review
Canon 200mm f/2.8 L Lens Review: Not For Everybody, But Perfect For Many
D
doctor-speed.de
10/11/2017
Summary of the review
Review: Light as Air – The Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM
(Translated)Show original
C
christophkramer.org
30/03/2017
Summary of the review
Review of the Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II Lens
(Translated)Show original
R
radojuva.com
28/01/2022
Summary of the review
Review: Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM Lens
(Translated)Show original
D
dxomark.fr
18/10/2011
Summary of the review
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM - DxOMark Assessment: Reviewing Sample Images for Bokeh and Sharpness Performance
(Translated)Show original
X
xatakafoto.com
09/06/2009
Summary of the review
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM review - Xataka Foto
(Translated)Show original
D
digitalcamaralens.com
24/12/2025
Summary of the review
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM Review and Test
(Translated)Show original
R
rcefoto.com
10/05/2024
Summary of the review
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 L II USM - Scheda Tecnica e Recensione Prodotto
(Translated)Show original
L
lensreviews.nl
05/10/2022
Summary of the review
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 L II USMGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. Lens Review
(Translated)Show original
E
eoszine.nl
03/01/2011
Summary of the review
EF 200mm 2.8L and 2L IS (coolblue.be) | June 08 2013 | Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM - User Review
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on 414 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about Canon EF 200mm F 2 8L II USM

  • Excellent center-to-corner sharpness, particularly when stopped down to f/4
  • Compact and lightweight compared to 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom alternatives
  • Fast and quiet Ring USM autofocus with full-time manual focus override
  • Inconspicuous black finish compared to larger white 'L' series telephoto lenses
  • Great value for money, often cited as one of the most affordable 'L' series primes
  • Produces smooth bokeh and strong background compression for portraits
  • Works well with teleconverters, effectively becoming a 400mm lens

What we don't like about Canon EF 200mm F 2 8L II USM

  • Lack of built-in Image Stabilization (IS), requiring high shutter speeds for handheld shots
  • Lacks weather-sealing gaskets found on newer 'L' class lenses
  • Fixed focal length limits versatility compared to zoom lenses in fast-paced environments
  • Noticeable lens flare and loss of contrast when shooting against bright lights
  • Relatively long minimum focusing distance (approx. 1.5m), limiting close-up use
  • Minor pincushion distortion and vignetting at wide apertures on full-frame bodies
  • Tripod collar is not included as a standard accessory

Verdict

The Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM is a high-performance L-series telephoto prime lens featuring an optical construction of 9 elements in 7 groups, including two Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) glass elements to minimize chromatic aberrations. Key technical specifications include a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture, an 8-blade diaphragm for smooth bokeh, and a ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) for quick, near-silent autofocus with full-time manual focus override. Its main pros are exceptional center-to-corner sharpness, a relatively compact and lightweight design (765g) compared to 70-200mm zooms, and professional-grade build quality with Super Spectra coatings to reduce flare. However, notable cons include the lack of built-in image stabilization and the absence of a rear gasket for full weather sealing.

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