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Best 24-70 Lens For Canon [2024 Review]

In: 
Published: 24/07/2023

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As a Canon camera owner, you have exclusive access to a variety of lens models, including the official Canon lens and other great third-party manufacturers. The 24-70mm remains one of the most popular lenses among Canon camera users.

Also called "walk-around lens", the 24-70 lens is trusted by photographers of all experience levels to deliver impressive shots. This guide discusses the best 24-70 lens for Canon every real estate photographer should know. 

My Top 24-70mm Lens Reviews for Canon 

A 24-70 lens has a versatile focal length range, making it ideal for real estate and event photographers trying to get their foot on the photography forefront to ensure image quality. Topping the best lens list is the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens, which is a wide-angle lens that provides a suitable position for photographers to focus on near and far objects with no fuss. 

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens

The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 sits right at the top of my best 24-70mm lens for Canon and for good reasons. Although this Canon lens has been around for years, it still maintains its image quality and optimal functionality reputation due to its maximum aperture. 

Even without image stabilization, the ring-type USM autofocus allows you to focus the Canon lens accurately and quickly when taking shots throughout the zoom range. The front element of the lens is able to rotate, unlike the front element on the Canon RF 24-70mm zoom lens. 

Apart from the good image quality throughout the zoom range, the Canon EF 24-70mm lens construction is incredibly durable and sturdy to prevent dust and withstand harsh outdoor weather, making it the best 24-70mm zoom lens for Canon for use in trying conditions.

Canon RF 24-70mm F/2.8 L IS USM Lens

RF lenses are generally high quality and this Canon RF 24-70mm for the EOS R camera is no different. The image stabilization of this Canon lens offers over 5 stops of camera shake that creates a sharper image quality compared to the Canon EF 24-70mm lens. 

The Canon lens has a 0.21m minimum focus distance and a good maximum aperture. While this isn't anywhere near a macro lens, this Canon lens still has a good maximum reproduction ratio and allows you to get appealing close-up portraits of your subject compared to the Canon EF 24-70mm lens, which has a minimum focusing distance of 0.38m.

The advanced lens construction of the Canon RF 24-70mm lens reduces distortions while increasing contrast and color depth for fantastic image quality. When it comes to autofocus, this Canon zoom lens model features the Nano USN autofocus motor to improve focus on every shot you take. 

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Lens

If you're not as particular about getting an official Canon EOS lens, then the Sigma 24-70mm is an excellent third-party alternative lens. They're functionally similar to the popular Canon L series with incredible image quality.

The advanced lens construction of this Canon zoom lens prevents distortions like ghosting and flare for a fantastic image quality when you take pictures of living rooms, balconies, and other areas that require finer details. 

The f/2.8-f/22 maximum aperture range of this lens also allows you to create the broken effect, and separate the background from the foreground. With image stabilization, this zoom lens is similar to both the Canon 24-70mm f/ 2.8L II USM and the Canon 24-70mm f/ 2.8 L IS USM lens. 

Features to Consider in a 24-70 Lens For Canon

While most photographers focus on their Canon camera body, photos have more to do with the lens quality than the camera. So it's important to shift the gear attention to the lens you buy. That said, putting the following factors into consideration can help you make a better, informed buying decision when choosing a wide-angle-zoom Canon lens.

Comparing 24-70 Lenses for Canon

LensesMagnification RatioLens TypeImage Stabilization
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 1:4.76Wide AngleYes
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 1:3.3TelephotoYes
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 1:4.5Wide AngleNo

Price 

If you're looking for a reliable camera lens for your Canon, the Canon EF 24-70mm f/4 is the real deal. This Canon lens is functionally similar to the f/2.8 model, but with a smaller f/4 maximum aperture. Although their difference can be visible in quality, the zoom lens still allows you to take fantastic shots. 

On the other hand, if you have enough to spend on a Canon camera lens, you can give the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 lens a try.

Canon camera with a 24-70 Sigma lens

Purpose of Use 

The purpose of the use is also an essential factor to consider. Always know your photography purpose before buying a lens. Typically, Canon 20-70mm lenses are more flexible than prime lenses. 

For example, if you aim at taking photos of different real estate properties, then the Canon 24-70mm f/ 2.8L lens is a high-quality and extremely versatile lens that works great for shooting homes.  

Low-Light Performance

The aperture controls the total amount of light entering the zoom lens, affecting image quality. Since the aperture regulates light, a wider maximum aperture means more light reaches the camera sensor, resulting in brighter photos even in low-light shooting when using a wide-angle Canon lens. The maximum aperture is an important factor to consider when looking for a 24-70mm lens. 

Usually, the maximum aperture is indicated in terms of f-stops, which is a fraction of the focal length. That means an aperture of f/2.8 is wider than an aperture of f/3.5 since the denominator is smaller. If you are shooting real estate interior photos in low light, consider a Canon lens with a maximum aperture of at least f/2.8.

Image Stabilization System 

If you are shooting real estate exterior photos, there are high chances you will need to walk around the property taking the photos while holding a Canon camera and lens. Usually, taking photos handheld results in camera shakes and vibrations, which causes the lens to result in image blurring and shaky videos.

As a result, you might need a lens with a built-in image stabilization system that can help to reduce the vibrations and make the videos smoother. For instance, a lens such as the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 comes with an optical image stabilization system that reduces vibrations. 

Autofocus 

Although the manual focus ring of a lens can help you achieve a more accurate focus, it can be challenging to use for beginners and exhausting even professional real estate photographers, especially when they need to track a moving subject. As a result, most modern Canon lenses come equipped with an autofocus motor that helps to adjust the focus. 

For instance, the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 lens comes with an ultrasonic motor that offers fast and accurate autofocus compared to the hypersonic motor in the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8. That means the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 lens might be the right choice for videography where you need to track moving subjects. 

Size and Weight 

The weight can vary widely depending on the lens construction materials. For instance, the Sigma 24-70mm lens comes with a metal barrel and brass bayonet mount, making it heavier. If you are shooting with a tripod setup, the heavy weight of a lens is an advantage as it makes the tripod more stable even when photographing exterior photos in windy situations. 

On the other hand, if you are shooting handheld for a prolonged time, consider going for a lightweight lens such as the Canon EF 24-70mm lens. It’s also advisable to balance the weight of the lens with the weight of the camera, as a significant difference between the two can make the camera topple.  

Weather Sealing

A weather-sealed lens comes with a rubber gasket that helps to prevent elements such as splash from entering the camera through the mounts when you connect it to the camera. 

Some Canon zoom lenses, such as the Canon RF 24-70mm lens, come even with a higher quality sealing, including a fluorine coating on the front and rear elements. This fluorine coating makes the lens resistant to scratches, making it even more sturdier and reliable as you can use it to shoot even in difficult jungles. 

Compatibility

The last thing you might want is to get a lens only to find it’s not compatible with your camera. In most cases, the compatibility of lenses varies with the mounts, some being Canon EF-S, some EF, some RF-S, and others RF as follows.

  • EF-S: These are standard Canon lenses that are designed for APS-C cameras. Usually, these lenses are not compatible with 35mm Canon cameras as the circle for the lens mount is physically smaller than a full-frame sensor.
  • EF: EF lenses such as the Canon 24-70mm EF lens are the standard Canon lenses designed for 35mm Canon cameras. The mounts are larger than that of the EF-S lenses. The larger circle of the lens mount makes these lenses compatible with both full-frame and crop sensor cameras and shoot photos without vignetting.
  • RF-S: RF-S lenses have lens mounts the same size as the EF-S lenses and are designed for use with the newer models of Canon APS-C format cameras, such as the EOS R 7 and R10. That means these lenses are not compatible with a full-frame camera that use the RF lenses.
  • RF: These lenses, such as the Canon RF 24-70mm lens, are the same as the EF lenses, only that they are more advanced. Unlike the older lens, this lens has improved protocol communication using 12 electronic connections compared to the 8 pins in EF lenses. This makes an RF lens have better and faster communication with the camera. 

Related Questions

Do You Need a 24-70 Lens with Image Stabilization?

Image stabilization in a lens reduces blurring associated with the motion of your camera shots, so it is ideal to have. The Canon EF L-series f/2.8 lacks built-in image stabilization, while the Canon RF lens has built-in image stabilization. 

What Is the Canon 24-70mm Lens Useful For?

The 24-70mm lens focal distance is useful for most types of photography because of the focal range. It’s wide enough to take real estate photos of tight rooms, and it can zoom in enough to be used as a portrait lens.

What Are the Benefits of Using the 24-70mm Lens?

Generally, the 24-70mm lens is physically short, which makes it easier to make quick zooms. The zoom lens is also versatile, allowing one to capture both normal and wide-angle perspectives.

Conclusion

The 24-70mm lenses are an excellent addition to your Canon camera. It's one of the most versatile lenses for your real estate photography. All the Canon lenses (including the third-party lens) reviewed are superb when it comes to autofocus, image quality, color depth, and usability.

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