Canon EF 24 70mm F 2 8L II USM Review | 54 Data compared

The DPReview evaluation concludes that the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM is a near-flawless, professional-grade workhorse zoom lens delivering exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness, effective flare resistance, and high-speed autofocus. The redesigned, weather-sealed lens is both lighter and shorter than its predecessor, offering superior optical performance that competes with top-tier primes. Key drawbacks identified include the complete absence of built-in image stabilization (IS) and significant vignetting at the 70mm f/2.8 setting. Additionally, the lens requires a larger, more costly 82mm filter and shows less optimal performance at very close focusing distances.

The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM is a professional-grade standard zoom lens that delivers exceptional optical excellence, achieving the highest DxOMark database score for its category at the time of review. Designed to address its predecessor's shortcomings, it features a redesigned optical structure that improves transmission from T3.4 to T3.0 and replaces the older inverted zoom handling with a standard extending barrel. The lens offers outstanding, uniform sharpness across the frame even at wide apertures and longer focal lengths, performing comparably to high-quality prime lenses. Additionally, it features weather-and-dustproof sealing, controls distortion well, and shaves off 145g of weight for a more compact, 805g design. However, these major performance upgrades come with distinct trade-offs, most notably a very high retail price of approximately $2,500, making it significantly less accessible than the original version. On the optical side, users will notice visible chromatic aberration in the corners, particularly at wider apertures, which requires software correction during post-production. The physical design also increases the filter thread size from 77mm to a large 82mm, though its front and rear glass elements are...

The Digital Camera World review gives the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM high praise for its incredible build quality and elite image rendering, ranking it as one of the finest own-brand standard zooms available for Canon DSLRs. The critic highlights several major pros, including its excellent weather sealing and robust construction, which make it a fantastic choice for landscape photographers working in harsh conditions. Additionally, the lens features front and rear fluorine coatings to repel grease and moisture. Dynamically, the lens delivers outstandingly sharp images with superb contrast, maintaining peak performance even when shooting wide open at f/2.8 across its entire standard zoom focal range. However, the review points out clear drawbacks that limit its value proposition. The primary cons focus on its expensive price tag and a surprising lack of image stabilization, an omission that can make handheld everyday shooting more difficult compared to the competition. While the optics are top-tier, the reviewer notes that the overall sharpness and contrast are not significantly better than third-party rivals, such as the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art or...

The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 II USM is a completely redesigned standard zoom lens that delivers exceptional, highly consistent image quality across its universal focal range, making it an ideal choice for professional reporter and wedding photography. Testing on a Canon 5D Mark III revealed that the lens achieves impressive edge-to-edge sharpness that matches center resolution across all apertures, leaving no need to stop down just to improve clarity. Autofocus is exceptionally fast and silent due to its ring-type ultrasonic motor (USM). Additionally, it features a rounded nine-blade aperture for smooth bokeh, strong flare resistance from Super Spectra coatings, and a robust weather-sealed construction that is 20% lighter and more compact than its predecessor. While the optical performance matches a set of fixed prime lenses, the review highlights several distinct pros and cons. The primary advantages (pros) include its improved sharpness, significantly reduced distortion at the 70mm telephoto end, rugged weather sealing, and excellent background blur. On the downside, the disadvantages (cons) include a very high purchase price, a massive 82mm filter size, and a lack of built-in image stabilization...

The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens is identified as a top-performing, professional-grade, general-purpose zoom featuring exceptional, prime-like sharpness across the frame, even at its maximum f/2.8 aperture. The review highlights its blazing fast, accurate autofocus and robust weather-sealed construction, positioning it as an ideal workhorse for demanding professionals. Conversely, the lens lacks image stabilization (IS), requiring steady handling for low-light shooting, and carries a high price point. Despite these drawbacks, the exceptional, edge-to-edge optical performance makes it a premier choice in the 24-70mm range.

In his Tangents review, Neil van Niekerk highly praises the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II for its significant improvements over its predecessor, highlighting a more compact, solid build and superior, fast, and reliable autofocusing. The lens is lauded for its exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness, high contrast, and beautiful bokeh, making it a reliable tool for professional photographers. Despite these improvements, the review identifies several downsides, most notably the high retail price and the lack of built-in image stabilization (IS). Additionally, photographers must adapt to an 82mm filter thread size, which is larger and less common than the previous version's 77mm, creating added costs for existing users.

The Canon Snapshot review hails the EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM as an indispensable, "faultless" lens for professional applications, praising its exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness, refined color rendition, and superior contrast, even in high-glare backlit scenes. It excels in low-light, producing high-quality bokeh at f/2.8, and offers unmatched, reliable performance for everything from deep-focus landscapes to fast-paced, high-resolution photography. While described as optically superior, the lens is a heavy, robust tool designed for uncompromising quality rather than portability, necessitating the use of a sturdy support for the best results. The review suggests the lens's weight and lack of image stabilization may be the only significant drawbacks for those expecting the convenience found in lighter or slower zoom alternatives.

Ken Rockwell designates the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L II as one of Canon’s finest lenses, highlighting its extraordinary sharpness that outperforms, or equals, prime lenses at wide apertures. Key advantages include superior edge-to-edge contrast, 9-bladed bokeh, improved sunstars, and a lighter, faster-focusing construction compared to its predecessor. Conversely, the review notes the lens is significantly more expensive, costing nearly twice as much as the original version, and uses more plastic in its construction, unlike the metal-heavy, older "beast". Additionally, it lacks optical image stabilization (IS), requiring users to choose between maximum speed and stabilization, though its unmatched wide-open performance is deemed worth the premium.

The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens is highlighted on The-Digital-Picture as a top-performing, versatile, and exceptionally sharp full-frame zoom with robust, weather-sealed construction and fast autofocus. Pros include outstanding image quality across the focal range and a durable, professional build, though it lacks image stabilization and comes at a high price point. Additionally, the lens features noticeable barrel distortion at 24mm, pincushioning at 70mm, and reduced sharpness at minimum focusing distances, per The-Digital-Picture.