Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM
Announced June 7, 2018
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 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM remains a gold standard for its sharp optics, fast autofocus, and robust build quality. That said, it is a very modest update to the previous version, making the purchase difficult to justify for current owners of the Mark II.
Weighted from 12 reviewer scores
Pros
- Fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus performance
- Sharp image quality with effective image stabilization
- Excellent build quality with weather sealing and fluorine coatings
- Improved contrast and reduced glare in backlit conditions
Cons
- Minimal improvements over the previous model
- High retail price
- Optical issues including focus breathing and corner softness
- Heavy and potentially unbalanced on smaller camera bodies
- Launch price $2,099 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 70-200mm f/2.8
- Mount & coverage Canon EF Full-Frame
- Stabilization Optical IS, 3.5 stops (CIPA)
- Close focus (0.21x)
- Filter thread 77mm
- Autofocus motor Ring-type ultrasonic
- Weight & size 1480g (3 lb 4.2 oz) · 88.8 x 199 mm (3.50 x 7.83 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 12 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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It is a bit difficult to get excited about a new lens that is mostly the same as something I already have.
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Despite all that though, it's still a solid performer offering excellent central sharpness and contrast, beautiful bokeh, and excellent build quality, including a very fast auto focus system that still works perfectly well with Canon's official adapters.
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If you don’t have a 70-200mm, then this new one would be worth the purchase. But if you already own the version II of this lens, it probably makes a lot of sense to hold on to it, as the used market prices on it will drop once the new version comes more prevalent.
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The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM is another superb lens from Canon that performs flawlessly.
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If you want to stick with the first-party option, though (and potentially benefit from a better resale value in the future), then you certainly won't go wrong with the EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS III USM [...]
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I consider this to be the dream lens. When I didn't have a system, when I wasn't shooting Nikon yet and I was barely shooting Canon film, I always wanted that white lens, that 70-200. This is the holy grail of lenses for sports photographers.
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A slight upgrade from the Mk II, the new edition looks pricey. If you want a top-flight 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, the Tamron G2 delivers excellent image quality, has a better stabilizer and comes at half the price.
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The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM is a modest upgrade to the previous version, but remains the gold standard in its class.
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This is 99% the same as the previous 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II, which is an extraordinary lens. If you own the previous model, there's no need to get this one.
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The Canon 70-200 2.8 IS version 3. This lens is awesome.
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[I]f you've never owned a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM, this is definitely the lens to go for, and I see no reason to go for the Mark II.
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It is an incredibly sharp, fantastic lens. The image stabilization system was smooth, it was quiet, the auto focusing was fast.
