Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Announced August 22, 2005
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is a versatile, weather-sealed standard zoom that provides a useful focal range and effective image stabilization for general photography. Although it delivers sharp center images and solid build quality, it exhibits noticeable barrel distortion and corner softness on full-frame sensors.
Weighted from 19 reviewer scores
Pros
- Effective image stabilization for handheld and low-light work
- Fast, silent, and accurate autofocus performance
- Robust L-series weather-sealed construction
- Versatile focal range suitable for various shooting scenarios
- Sharp image quality in the center of the frame
Cons
- Noticeable corner softness and vignetting on full-frame cameras
- Significant barrel distortion at the wide end
- High price point relative to performance
- Mechanical issues including lens creep and stiff zoom ring
- Visible chromatic aberration in high-contrast areas
- Launch price $1,249 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 24-105mm f/4
- Mount & coverage Canon EF Full-Frame
- Stabilization Optical IS
- Close focus 45 cm (0.23x)
- Filter thread 77mm
- Autofocus motor Ring USM
- Weight & size 670g · 83.5 x 107 mm (3.29 x 4.21 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 19 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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Offering decent wide-angle to short telephoto coverage, Canon’s EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is an ideal general purpose lens for full-frame bodies.
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The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 USM L IS is surely one of the better standard zoom lenses for full format EOS DSLRs but it's not perfect within this scope nonetheless. The resolution figures are generally very decent except for a pronounced border softness at 70mm @ f/4.
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Boasting the superb build, mechanical and optical quality found in the Canon L-Series Lenses and a widely used range of focal lengths, the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens is one of the best and most popular Canon general purpose lenses made.
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This general purpose lens is highly recommended.
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Looking at the pros list you could boldly state we deal here with an excellent instrument.
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Canon's EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is a great all-round standard lens which, apart from covering a useful zoom range, delivers excellent sharpness and is built well enough to take the rigours of daily professional use.
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The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens delivers strong sharpness at wide angles, but image quality really suffers when zoomed in—overall, it's priced too high for the performance it delivers.
- Photo Review 8.5/10
A high-performing lens for general photography. A superb general-purpose lens, Canon’s EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM is equally at home on the EOS 400D and the ‘full frame’ EOS 5D cameras, giving a focal length range equivalent to 38.4 to 168mm on the former.
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Altogether, the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is still an impressive piece of glass. Just like the 17-40, which I reviewed in my previous video, it is not perfect, but there is no major reason to avoid it.
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The Canon 24-105mm f/4 L IS is among the worlds' best lenses, but difficult to use over extended periods. My fingertips actually hurt after using this lens for a while because of the stiff zoom ring and its cramped wide-angle end.
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For many, the 24-105mm will be a great choice. Rarely do you see this combination of focal length, quality, and price.
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[A] very nice lens indeed. [...] It can be used wide open at f4 and still yield very sharp images and with the 3 stops of stabilization which the IS system provides, it's useful for low light work as well.
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In the end, I find the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM to be a very good balance of value, performance, and functionality.
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It’s not a lens that’s ever blown me out of the water in terms of image quality, but it’s rarely disappointed me either.
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If you want a high quality wide-to-telephoto zoom and plan to take photos from a moving car, boat, or airplane, this is the right lens.
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Focusing is excellent and the lens produces sharp images [...] Highly recommended.
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Your clients are going to love the results you get with it, so buy with confidence if you don't have the money for the premium lenses.
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[...] I do think it's a phenomenal lens.
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This lens is a pleasure to use. Images are high quality and the lens does so much so well.
