Canon's EF 16-35mm f4L IS USM is an ultra-wide zoom that's compatible with full-frame DSLRs. It's the successor to the EF 17-40mm f4L USM, losing a little on the long-end, but gaining a tad on the important wide-end, while also adding the benefit of image stabilization.

If you are looking for an extremely sharp ultra-wide angle zoom lens, the Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM Lens should be at the top of your consideration list. This lens delivers prime-grade image sharpness right into full frame corners and it has the overall performance to match, including AF speed...

The Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM is a very capable but also very pricey ultra-wide-angle zoom lens that will appeal most to landscape, architecture and reportage photographers looking for a lightweight and responsive lens with the added advantage of image stabilisation for low-light hand-held work.

Good extreme wideangle zoom lenses for full-frame cameras are not easy to find. Damien Demolder tests Canon's latest to see if it is up to the job

You could forgive most photographers for thinking that a 16-35mm lens would be intended for less-than-full-frame cameras. After all, a focal range such as this would provide a sensible, if slightly odd, 25-56mm on an EOS EF-S APS-C body.

You could forgive most photographers for thinking that a 16-35mm lens would be intended for less-than-full-frame cameras. After all, a focal range such as this would provide a sensible, if slightly odd, 25-56mm on an EOS EF-S APS-C body.

The 16-35mm ƒ/4L IS USM occupies an interesting niche in Canon's line up of wide-angle zoom lenses. Some may question the usefulness of having IS on a wide-angle lens, but it does come in handy both for movie-making, and for when you don't want to lug around a tripod.

This new ultra-wide angle zoom lens should replace Canon's venerable 17-40mm f/4L optic in their line up of professional lenses. It sports a zoom range of just over 2x and a constant maximum aperture of f/4.

Outstanding sharpness across the frame from maximum aperture; Excellent build quality; Relatively lightweight; Reasonably low distortion; Low CA; Image stabilisation; Fast autofocus; Dust and moisture resistance

Distortion is wavy at 16mm; Far corners remain darker than the image centre; even when stopped down to f/16

This new ultra-wide angle zoom lens should replace Canon's venerable 17-40mm f/4L optic in their line up of professional lenses. It sports a zoom range of just over 2x and a constant maximum aperture of f/4.

While the IS on this lens is not an essential item if you're primarily interested in landscapes, it can be very helpful for candid shots of groups of people.

IS; light weight; overall sharpness