Canon L 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM 24-70mm
A constant f/2.8 aperture, USM autofocus, and 5-stop image stabilization make this a reliable zoom for varied lighting, with weather sealing adding durability. Its versatile 24-70mm range earns top marks for landscape (99.6/100) and travel (97.1/100), while the bundle includes practical extras like a filter kit and backpack. Best for landscape and travel photographers who need a rugged, all-purpose standard zoom for full-frame Canon bodies.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
Score dropped 11 points to 77. Outclassed by newer superzooms like the Sigma 16-300mm and Tamron 18-300mm. Still works for casual use, but the competitive field has left it behind.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to carry for long shoots 96th
- Effective optical stabilization for handheld video 95th
Cons
- Soft at the long end compared to newer competitors
- Slow autofocus in low light
- Noticeable chromatic aberration in high-contrast scenes
- Build quality feels dated next to metal-barreled rivals
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews — so you can see whether early praise held up.
- Q2 202695/100
Buyers praise the lens for its exceptional sharpness, fast autofocus, and reliable build, though some note its weight and lack of image stabilization.
- Image quality and sharpness are consistently called excellent, even at wide apertures.
- Fast and accurate autofocus, especially for sports and event photography.
- Lens is bulky and heavy; expected for the quality but a minor drawback.
- No image stabilization; some blur at slower shutter speeds, though reviewers often blame themselves.
- Q1 202675/100
Overall positive feedback praises sharpness, color, and build quality. A minority report copy variability concerns with soft or defective copies, but most buyers are satisfied with image performance.
- Excellent sharpness, color, and bokeh; many say it rivals prime lenses.
- Some buyers received soft or defective copies, requiring returns or calibration.
- Fast and accurate autofocus, solid build, and weather sealing.
- Lens is heavy and expensive; a few mention limited zoom range.
- Q3 202575/100
Buyers praised the lens's image quality and overall performance, though one noted it is overpriced and another would pair it differently for multi-camera setups.
- Excellent image quality and performance in field use.
- Great product but considered overpriced by one buyer.
- Useful for podcast wide shots, but desires closer focal lengths.
- Q1 2025100/100
Buyers are extremely satisfied, calling this lens sharp, versatile, and a must-have for portraits, action, and travel. One user's prior lens broke, but they consider this their go-to.
- Highly sharp and fast lens, praised as the best in kit.
- Versatile for family portraits, action shots, and vacations.
- First lens broke during a wedding; this replacement is beloved.
- Zoom ring is not the quietest, but not an issue without onboard mic.
- Q1 202380/100
Most buyers praise the lens as sharp, dependable, and a great everyday upgrade. One buyer reports a defective unit, highlighting a possible quality control issue.
- Sharp, crisp image quality praised by multiple users.
- Dependable workhorse lens for enthusiasts and pros.
- One buyer received a dysfunctional brand-new lens.
- Lighter weight improvement over previous version noted.
- Q3 202188/100
Sharpness praised highly; one report of softness at 70mm. Heavy and expensive but considered a top-tier, go-to lens.
- Sharpness is outstanding, especially at all zoom settings.
- One reviewer reports softness at 70mm focal length.
- Heavy and expensive, but accepted as trade-off for best quality.
- Versatile and dependable for events, live music, and group photos.
- Q2 202195/100
Buyers praised the lens as excellent, sharp, and ideal for portraits and events, with long-term reliability and happiness over upgrades.
- Excellent image quality and sharpness for various uses.
- Reliable workhorse lens for events and weddings.
- Great upgrade from previous generation after 15+ years.
- Perfect companion to 70-200mm lens for portraits and flowers.
- Q1 2021100/100
Reviewers praise this lens as sharp, fast-focusing, and lightweight for its zoom range, ideal as a versatile all-around or B-roll lens.
- Sharp image quality noted repeatedly.
- Fast autofocus and accurate tracking.
- Lightweight and ideal for run-and-gun or B-roll.
- Some soft focus reported when focus isn't perfect.
- Q4 202090/100
Buyers loved the lens for astrophotography, landscapes, and general use, praising sharpness and versatility, though some noted a lack of image stabilization and compatibility issues on mirrorless cameras.
- Excellent for astrophotography and landscapes, with great sharpness.
- Lack of image stabilization noted as a drawback.
- Versatile for both close-up and distant shots, a must-have all-around lens.
- Potential calibration issues with Canon R adapter reported.
- Q3 202071/100
Most praised for sharpness, low light, and versatility. One detailed negative review criticizes the new lens hood and weaker macro compared to the older version.
- Sharp, versatile walk-around lens with excellent f/2.8 depth of field.
- Redesigned zoom mechanism requires a poorly performing scalloped lens hood.
- New version less capable for extreme closeups than the previous model.
- One user reports front/back focus issues and reliability concerns with older units.
- Q2 202091/100
Buyers praised the lens as a sharp, versatile all-in-one for portraits and landscapes, with minor IS loss noted.
- Sharp, clear images with excellent color and smooth bokeh.
- Versatile focal range useful for portraits and landscapes.
- Fast, accurate autofocus and easy to use.
- No image stabilization noted; trade-off for f2.8 aperture.
- Q1 202093/100
Reviewers praise this lens as sharp, versatile, and ideal for portraits and landscapes. Some note the lack of image stabilization and heavy weight.
- Remarkable sharpness and optical quality, often compared favorably to prime lenses.
- Versatile all-around lens for weddings, portraits, landscapes, and daily use.
- Great in low light, but missing image stabilization requires a tripod for steady shots.
- Lens is notably heavy, which is a common complaint among users.
- Q4 2019100/100
All reviews are 5-star. Buyers praise the lens for sharpness, speed, and image quality, especially for weddings and indoor use. Customer service also receives high marks.
- Sharpness and image quality are frequently highlighted as excellent.
- Fast f/2.8 aperture is a game changer for low light and indoor shoots.
- Versatile focal length works well on both full frame and crop sensor cameras.
- Customer service and transaction experience are outstanding.
- Q3 201995/100
Buyers praise this lens as sharp, versatile, and excellent in low light, ideal for travel and weddings. A few note the high cost and weight.
- Sharp, tack-sharp image quality at f/2.8.
- Excellent low-light performance and versatile for multiple genres.
- Ideal walk-around lens; replaces need for other lenses.
- Expensive and heavy; one buyer mentions cost as a demerit.
Based on 101 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 24 |
| Focal Length Max | 70 |
| Elements | 18 |
| Groups | 13 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 |
| ED Elements | 3 |
| Coating | fluorine coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | 22 |
| Min Aperture | 2.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Canon EF |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 kg / 1.8 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 82 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Nano USM |
| Stabilization | Yes |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 210 |
| Max Magnification | 0.3x |
vs Competition
The landscape has shifted dramatically. The Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS now sets a high bar for all-in-one range, while the Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 delivers impressive sharpness and fast VXD autofocus in a compact package. Nikon's Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR extends reach even further for full-frame Z users, and the Panasonic Leica 50-200mm f/2.8-4 offers superior optical quality for Micro Four Thirds shooters willing to sacrifice some zoom range. Even the older Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM provides a more refined and reliable experience for APS-C DSLR users. Against this field, the reviewed lens struggles to justify its place. Its focal range feels limited, and its optical performance cannot match the newer designs. If you are wondering how this lens compares to the Tamron 18-300mm, the Tamron is sharper, focuses faster, and covers a wider range. Is this lens still good for travel? It can work, but you will get more keepers and more framing flexibility from almost any of the newer alternatives.
| Spec | Canon L 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM 24-70mm | Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS | Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD | Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR | Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 | Sony E SELP1650 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 24-70mm | 16-300mm | 18-300mm | 28-400mm | 50-200mm | 16-50mm |
| Max Aperture | 22 | f/3.5 | f/3.5 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Canon EF | Sony E | Fuji X | Nikon Z | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | false | true | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 805 | 615 | 92 | 726 | 655 | 116 |
| AF Type | Nano USM | HLA | VXD linear motor | STM | linear motor | Stepping motor |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | telephoto | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Af | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon L 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM 24-70mm | 94.5 | 28.4 | 44.8 | 43.9 | 95.4 | 24.5 | 30.3 | 80.7 | 94.9 | 96.3 |
| Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Compare | 54.9 | 84.6 | 58.3 | 85.9 | 98.9 | 77.5 | 0 | 99.6 | 78 | 99 |
| Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Compare | 98.2 | 75.5 | 96.4 | 87.8 | 74.3 | 77.5 | 30.3 | 99.2 | 83.1 | 81.1 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR Compare | 86.6 | 78.4 | 50.8 | 81.2 | 97 | 71.8 | 0 | 98.9 | 83.1 | 98.2 |
| Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 Compare | 98.2 | 86.4 | 54.6 | 22.8 | 95.9 | 84.1 | 91.7 | 88.3 | 65.9 | 96.3 |
| Sony E SELP1650 Compare | 86.6 | 75.5 | 93.6 | 35.1 | 64.4 | 77.5 | 63.6 | 83.5 | 74.1 | 92.5 |
Price
Value & Pricing
At its current price, the value is hard to defend. The Sigma 16-300mm and Tamron 18-300mm both offer more range and better image quality for a similar investment. Unless you find this lens at a steep discount on the used market, the newer competition delivers a much better return on your money. The drop in score is a direct reflection of this new value equation.
Bestbuy.ca 1 offers From CA$2,340
B&H Photo 1 offers From CA$2,987
Price History
Read more
Common Questions
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Who Should Skip This
Anyone buying a new superzoom should skip this lens. The Sigma 16-300mm and Tamron 18-300mm are objectively better in almost every way. Nikon Z and Panasonic MFT users have native options that outperform it. Only consider this if you find it used for a very low price and you absolutely need this exact focal range on a legacy DSLR body.
Verdict
The lens once held a strong position, but a significant drop in overall score from 88 to 77 reflects a market that has moved on. Newer superzooms from Sigma, Tamron, and Nikon offer more range or better optics, pushing this model down the list. It remains a functional option for casual shooters who already own the system, but it is no longer a top recommendation. The value proposition has weakened considerably now that competitors deliver sharper results and more versatile focal lengths at similar or lower prices.
