Canon Canon 9521B002 SLR Lenses EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Review

If you're a Canon shooter looking for a do-it-all zoom lens for your full-frame camera, the Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS is a serious contender. It's a classic 'walk-around' lens, covering everything from wide-angle 24mm to a useful telephoto 105mm. With optical image stabilization and a relatively light 525g build, it's built for all-day shooting, whether you're traveling, shooting events, or capturing video. People often ask, 'is this a good lens for landscapes and video?' Based on its scores, the answer is a solid yes, landing in the 82nd percentile for video and 78th for landscapes. It's not the cheapest option, but it's a versatile workhorse for the EF system.

This lens scores incredibly high for versatility, sitting in the 95th percentile. That means it can handle a huge range of situations without you needing to swap lenses. Its optical performance is also top-tier at the 93rd percentile, so images are sharp and contrasty across the zoom range. The built-in Optical Image Stabilizer is excellent too, rated in the 90th percentile, which is a huge help for handheld shooting in low light or for smooth video. The autofocus, powered by a quiet STM motor, is decent but not class-leading, landing in the 48th percentile. It's perfectly fine for most photos and supports smooth Movie Servo AF for video, but it won't track fast action like a sports lens. The main performance trade-off is the variable aperture, which starts at f/3.5 at 24mm and slows to f/5.6 at 105mm. That puts it in the 36th percentile for aperture, meaning it lets in less light at the long end compared to a constant f/4 lens, which can affect background blur and low-light shooting.

At around $830, this lens sits in an interesting spot. You're paying for that top-tier versatility and optical quality in a portable package. The main question is whether you need the constant f/4 aperture of Canon's more expensive L-series 24-105mm lens. If you shoot mostly in good light or use stabilization to compensate, this lens saves you money and weight. If you frequently shoot in dim conditions or want creamier background separation, the constant f/4 version or a prime lens might be a better value for you.

Let's name some names. The obvious competitor is Canon's own EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. The L-series lens has a constant f/4 aperture, better build quality, and weather sealing, but it's heavier and more expensive. This f/3.5-5.6 version gives you most of the zoom range and sharpness in a lighter, more affordable package. Compared to the prime lenses listed, like the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 or Meike 55mm f/1.8, this Canon zoom can't match their low-light ability or background blur (bokeh is in the 35th percentile). But those primes only give you one focal length. This Canon's superpower is covering 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, and 105mm all in one lens. For a travel or event photographer who wants one lens on the camera, that's hard to beat.

So, should you buy it? If you're a Canon full-frame user who values having one lens that can do almost everything, and you shoot a lot of landscapes, travel, or video, this lens is an easy recommendation. Its sharpness and stabilization are fantastic. Just go in with clear eyes about the variable aperture. It's not the best lens for portraits or low-light action. But if your goal is to keep a high-quality, flexible zoom on your camera and not miss a shot because you were changing lenses, this Canon 24-105mm is a brilliant tool. It earns its keep through sheer usefulness.