Canon
EF 20mm f/2.8 USM
 vs
Canon
EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM
Is a prime lens Yes vs No
Help
 Prime lenses have a single focal length, they are typically sharper and have wider apertures
Wider aperture f/2.8 vs f/4
Help
 At its widest, the EF 20mm f/2.8 USM captures slightly more light, 1 f-stop
Slightly shorter 71 mm vs 97 mm
Help
 Around 30% shorter
Slightly cheaper $489.00 vs $739.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $250 cheaper (more than 30% less)
Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM Learn more about
the Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM

Reasons to consider the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
More zoom 2.4x vs 1x
Help
 Around 2.5x more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
More magnification 1:4 (0.2x) vs 1:7.1 (0.1x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects around 80% larger in your photo
Slightly better telephoto 40 mm vs 20 mm
Help
 2x more reach, less perspective distortion
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Learn more about
the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Focus motor Silent focus motor Help
Silent and fast
Max focal length Poor telephoto Help
EF 20mm f/2.8 USM:20 mm
EF 17-40mm f/4L USM:40 mm

Compared to wide angle lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses

LensHero is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.
Zoom range Poor zoom Help
EF 20mm f/2.8 USM:1x
EF 17-40mm f/4L USM:2.4x
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

Fisheye lens

$1,699
Fisheye Is a fisheye lens
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Compare the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM vs the EF 20mm f/2.8 USM
Compare the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM vs the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

Wide angle lens

$1,280
Length Is longer
Compare the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM vs the EF 20mm f/2.8 USM
Compare the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM vs the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

Wide angle lens

$759
Wide maximum Has a higher max f/stop
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Fixed aperture Has a variable aperture
Compare the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM vs the EF 20mm f/2.8 USM
Compare the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM vs the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Wide angle lens

$1,059
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Compare the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM vs the EF 20mm f/2.8 USM
Compare the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM vs the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Wide angle lens

$1,059
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Zoom range Has slightly large zoom range
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the 24-105mm f/4L IS USM vs the EF 20mm f/2.8 USM
Compare the 24-105mm f/4L IS USM vs the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM

Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM

Low light lens

$1,549
Aperture Has a wider aperture
Compare the EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM vs the EF 20mm f/2.8 USM
Compare the EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM vs the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 Pro DX Canon-ef

Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 Pro DX Canon-ef

Wide angle lens

$599
Focus motor Lacks a silent focus motor
Compare the 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 Pro DX Canon-ef vs the EF 20mm f/2.8 USM
Compare the 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 Pro DX Canon-ef vs the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM

Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM

Low light lens

$449
Aperture Wider aperture
Length Slightly shorter
Compare the EF 28mm f/1.8 USM vs the EF 20mm f/2.8 USM
Canon EF 35mm f/2

Canon EF 35mm f/2

Low light lens

$289
Aperture Wider aperture
Magnification More magnification
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Min focal length Slightly worse wide angle
Compare the EF 35mm f/2 vs the EF 20mm f/2.8 USM
Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM

Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM

Wide angle lens

$699
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Compare the EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM vs the EF 20mm f/2.8 USM
Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM

Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM

Low light lens
Aperture Significantly wider aperture
Length Slightly shorter
Min focal length Slightly worse wide angle
Compare the 50mm f/1.4 USM vs the EF 20mm f/2.8 USM
Canon EF 24mm f/2.8

Canon EF 24mm f/2.8

Wide angle lens

$330
Length Slightly shorter
Diameter Slightly smaller diameter
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Compare the EF 24mm f/2.8 vs the EF 20mm f/2.8 USM

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Wide angle lens

$1,149
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Zoom range More zoom
Lowest price Slightly more expensive
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM vs the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef

Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef

Wide angle lens

$459
Wide maximum Significantly narrower aperture
Aperture Wider aperture
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Magnification Slightly less magnification
Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef vs the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

discussion Which do you think is better?

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