Which is lighter, the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 or the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II?

The Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II weighs 285 g, 15 g less than the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 (300 g).

Is the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 or the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II better for street photography?

For street photography, the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II has the edge: it is 15 g lighter to carry.

Is the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 or the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II better for travel?

For travel, the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II has the edge: it is 15 g lighter to carry.

§ 03 Head to head

Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 vs Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II

Canon 28–70mm f/3.5-4.5 is 15 g lighter.

Both lenses are made for the Canon EF mount: the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 is a 28–70mm f/3.5-4.5 zoom, and the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II is a 28–70mm f/3.5-4.5 zoom. On paper the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II comes out ahead, 2 advantages to 0, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

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Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5

f/3.5-4.5 · 28–70mm · 300 g

Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II

f/3.5-4.5 · 28–70mm · 285 g

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 better than the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II?

No measurable advantage on paper.

Why is the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II better than the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5?

15 g lighter (285 g vs 300 g)
Newer design (1988 vs 1987)

Which should you buy?

By use

street For street photography, the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II has the edge: it is 15 g lighter to carry.
travel For travel, the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II has the edge: it is 15 g lighter to carry.

Specification

13 rows · better value flagged ◆

Specification	Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5	Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II
Focal length	28–70mm	28–70mm
Maximum aperture	f/3.5-4.5	f/3.5-4.5
Minimum aperture	f/29	f/29
Lens type	Zoom lens	Zoom lens
Format	Full frame	Full frame
Weight	300 g (10.58 oz)	285 g (10.05 oz) ◆
Dimensions	70 x 74.8 mm	70 x 76.5 mm
Minimum focusing distance	0.39 m (15.35 inches)	0.39 m (15.35 inches)
Aperture blades	5	5
Optical construction	10 elements in 9 groups	10 elements in 9 groups
Filter size	52 mm	52 mm
Lens mount	Canon EF	Canon EF
Released	1987	1988

Size

Drawn to relative scale

A · Canon
B · Canon

74.8 × 70 mm
76.5 × 70 mm

The Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II is 2 mm longer and 15 g lighter than the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5.

Video reviews

4 on YouTube

Video thumbnail for Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 review 1

Video thumbnail for Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 review 2

Video thumbnail for Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II review 1

Video thumbnail for Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II review 2

Questions

Which is lighter, the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 or the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II?: The Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II weighs 285 g, 15 g less than the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 (300 g).
Is the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 or the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II better for street photography?: For street photography, the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II has the edge: it is 15 g lighter to carry.
Is the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 or the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II better for travel?: For travel, the Canon EF 28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 II has the edge: it is 15 g lighter to carry.