Here’s what you need to know about Canon’s new 70-200 lenses

Earlier this month Canon announced two new telephoto zoom lenses: the EF 70-200 F/2.8 IS III USM and the EF 70-200 F/4 IS II USM.

The EF 70-200 F/2.8 IS III USM is the company’s new flagship lens in this zoom range. It features 3.5 stop optical image stabilization, a circular eight blade aperture for smooth background blur, an inner focusing system with Ring Ultrasonic Motor. The optical design includes 19 groups of 23 total elements. One of which is fluorite and five made with ultra-low dispersion glass. The new version also features Air Sphere Coating (ASC) technology, that according to Canon will help reduce flaring and ghosting by suppressing the reflection of light.

The updates on the EF 70-200 F/4 IS II USM are more substantial. Optical image stabilization goes all the way up to 5 stops—especially useful due to the slower aperture—features three IS modes, and the stabilization is now quieter when it’s working. That’s great news for photographers shooting weddings, intimate performances or wildlife. The lens features one fluorite and two UD elements, a shortened minimum focusing distance to 1m, a Super Spectra Coating technology to minimize ghosting and flare, a circular nine blade aperture. It’s built from 20 elements in 15 groups, a fluorine coating on the front and rear elements to reduce visibility of smears and fingerprints and an inner focusing system with Ring Ultrasonic Motor.

SEE IT

Not a Canon user? These are some other 70-200mm lenses that we would recommend trying:

• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR
• Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2
• Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS
• Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM

The EF 70-200 F/2.8 IS III USM will begin shipping August 2018 and cost $2,099. The F/4 IS II USM will begin shipping at the end of the month and cost $1,299.