Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM

Canon EF 24-70mm f/4 USM L IS Review

Built-in stabilisation and a macro mode are featured in this lighter, less expensive alternative to the EF 24-70mm Æ’/2.8L USM lens.

The Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM is a new professional standard zoom lens. Boasting built-in image stabilisation, macro capabilities and fast and quite auto-focusing, the EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM is a lighter and more affordable alternative to the faster EF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM. Read our in-depth Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM review complete with full-size sample images.

Conveniently compact for a full-frame standard zoom with a constant aperture

If your demands don't require a fixed f/2.8 zoom lens, the Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM will reward you with sharp images and a useful zoom range.

Looking for a Canon 24-70mm lens review? Read on to find out what we uncovered in our objective optical lab tests.

Back in September Canon introduced the EOS 6D, its entry into the nascent 'compact, lightweight' full frame SLR segment. With the launch of the EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM, Canon has now revealed what's destined to be its 'kit' lens. The newcomer is relatively compact in size to match the ethos of the 6D body design, but sports the company's premium 'L' series designation. However this comes with a price tag that's sure to make more than a few Canon users catch their breath - we've been told the the RRP will be $1499 / £1499.99 / €1459. What remains to be seen, though, is how much it will cost in a kit with the 6D body.

Introduced in November 2012 as the proposed ‘kit’ lens for the EOS 6D, the EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM lens represents an interesting move for Canon – despite two well respected lenses in this category, the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM and the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, the EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM hopes to offer a compact, lightweight lens suitable for the newly created lightweight, full-frame camera segment. The red L-series band offers the promise of professional performance, but does it live up to the expectations?