Which is lighter, the Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM or the Tokina AF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 II?

The Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM weighs 340 g, 160 g less than the Tokina AF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 II (500 g).

Which focuses closer, the Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM or the Tokina AF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 II?

The Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM focuses down to 0.34 m, against 0.4 m for the Tokina AF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 II.

Is the Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM or the Tokina AF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 II better for landscape photography?

For landscape photography, the Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM has the edge: it is 160 g lighter to carry.

Is the Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM or the Tokina AF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 II better for architecture?

For architecture, the Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM has the edge: it is 160 g lighter to carry.

§ 03 Head to head

Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM vs Tokina AF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 II

Canon 20–35mm f/3.5-4.5 is 160 g lighter. Tokina 20–35mm f/3.5-4.5 has a more aperture blades.

Both lenses are made for the Canon EF mount: the Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM is a 20–35mm f/3.5-4.5 zoom, and the Tokina AF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 II is a 20–35mm f/3.5-4.5 zoom. On paper the Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM comes out ahead, 3 advantages to 1, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

Add a third lens →

Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

f/3.5-4.5 · 20–35mm · 340 g

Tokina AF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 II

f/3.5-4.5 · 20–35mm · 500 g

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM better than the Tokina AF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 II?

160 g lighter (340 g vs 500 g)
6 mm shorter (68.9 mm vs 75 mm long)
Focuses 6 cm closer (0.34 m vs 0.4 m)

Why is the Tokina AF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 II better than the Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM?

More aperture blades (6 vs 5)

Which should you buy?

By use

landscape For landscape photography, the Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM has the edge: it is 160 g lighter to carry.
architecture For architecture, the Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM has the edge: it is 160 g lighter to carry.

Specification

14 rows · better value flagged ◆

Specification	Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM	Tokina AF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 II
Focal length	20–35mm	20–35mm
Maximum aperture	f/3.5-4.5	f/3.5-4.5
Minimum aperture	f/22-27	f/22
Lens type	Zoom lens	Zoom lens
Format	Full frame	Full frame
Weight	340 g (11.99 oz) ◆	500 g (17.64 oz)
Dimensions	83.5 x 68.9 mm	82 x 75 mm
Minimum focusing distance	0.34 m (13.39 inches) ◆	0.4 m (15.75 inches)
Aperture ring	—	Yes
Aperture blades	5	6 ◆
Optical construction	12 elements in 11 groups	13 elements / 11 groups
Filter size	77 mm	77 mm
Lens mount	Canon EF	Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sony A
Released	1993	—

Size

Drawn to relative scale

A · Canon
B · Tokina

68.9 × 83.5 mm
75 × 82 mm

The Tokina AF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 II is 6 mm longer and 160 g heavier than the Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM.

Video reviews

4 on YouTube

Video thumbnail for Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM review 1

Video thumbnail for Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM review 2

Video thumbnail for Tokina AF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 II review 1

Video thumbnail for Tokina AF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 II review 2

Questions

Which is lighter, the Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM or the Tokina AF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 II?: The Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM weighs 340 g, 160 g less than the Tokina AF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 II (500 g).
Which focuses closer, the Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM or the Tokina AF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 II?: The Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM focuses down to 0.34 m, against 0.4 m for the Tokina AF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 II.
Is the Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM or the Tokina AF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 II better for landscape photography?: For landscape photography, the Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM has the edge: it is 160 g lighter to carry.
Is the Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM or the Tokina AF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 II better for architecture?: For architecture, the Canon EF 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM has the edge: it is 160 g lighter to carry.