Canon
EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
 vs
Canon
EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Image stabilization Canon IS vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
More zoom 3.2x vs 2.2x
Help
 Around 50% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
Slightly cheaper $1,059.00 vs $1,699.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $640 cheaper (around 40% less)
Slightly better telephoto 55 mm vs 35 mm
Help
 Around 60% more reach, less perspective distortion
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Learn more about
the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Reasons to consider the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
Fisheye lens Yes vs No
Help
 Fisheye lenses take extremely wide 'circular' looking images
Slightly more magnification 1:4.5 (0.2x) vs 1:6 (0.2x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects more than 30% larger in your photo
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Learn more about
the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Fixed aperture Constant aperture lenses Help
The same aperture at all focal lengths
Focus motor Silent focus motor Help
Silent and fast
Prime lens Both are zoom lenses Help
Typically not as sharp as prime lenses
Max focal length Poor telephoto Help
EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM:55 mm
EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM:35 mm

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

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

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

Wide angle lens

$739
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Compare the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM vs the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Wide angle lens

$594
Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon-ef vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon-ef vs the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Travel lens

$699
Zoom range Has slightly large zoom range
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Fixed aperture Has a variable aperture
Compare the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Compare the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM vs the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

Wide angle lens

$1,280
Compare the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Compare the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM vs the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Wide angle lens

$199
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Focus motor Lacks a silent focus motor
Compare the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Compare the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Wide angle lens

$1,059
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the 24-105mm f/4L IS USM vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Compare the 24-105mm f/4L IS USM vs the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II 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 Has a higher max f/stop
Focus motor Lacks a silent focus motor
Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef vs the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

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

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

Low light lens

$98 - $125
Prime lens Is a prime lens
Aperture Wider aperture
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Compare the EF 50mm f/1.8 II vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Travel lens

$499 - $500
Zoom range Significantly more zoom
Max focal length Better telephoto
Fixed aperture Has a variable aperture
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Compare the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

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

Advantages

Disadvantages
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
Lowest price Cheaper
Weight Slightly lighter
Fisheye Not a fisheye
Fixed aperture Has a variable aperture
Compare the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM vs the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM

Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM

Fisheye lens

$2,159
Prime lens Is a prime lens
Magnification Less magnification
Zoom range Less zoom
Compare the EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM vs the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Travel lens

$699
Zoom range Much more zoom
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Fisheye Not a fisheye
Fixed aperture Has a variable aperture
Compare the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

discussion Which do you think is better?

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