Canon 16-35mm Mark II: Evaluation 1

Canon 16-35mm f2.8 Mark II v Leica 19mm f2.8 v Olympus 18mm f3.5

Performance at f5.6 (Zone A)

Olympus 18mm f3.5 at f5.6 (centre)	Leica 19mm at f5.6 (centre)	Canon 16-35mm f2.8 II at 18mm f5.6 (centre)
4.6 points	4.9 points	4.9 points

The Leica clearly merits a higher score for Magic & Sparkle, but in 'sharpness' terms, it's too close to call here: both the Elmarit and the Canon zoom are wiry. We'll not see the best of the Olympus for another stop yet.

Performance at f5.6 (Left Side)

Olympus 18mm f3.5 at f5.6 (mid-frame)	Leica 19mm at f5.6 (mid-frame)	Canon 16-35mm f2.8 II / 18mm f5.6 (mid-frame)
4.0 points	4.9 points	4.9 points

Focus on the grass and the Canon looks more attractive; look at the horizontal ridges in the plasterwork and the Leica shines. It really is a horses for courses thing.

Performance at f5.6 (Zone C: Upper Left Corner)

Olympus 18mm f3.5 at f5.6 (corner)	Leica 19mm at f5.6 (corner)	Canon 16-35mm f2.8 II at 18mm f5.6 (corner)
4.1 points	4.2 points	3.9 points

By f5.6 the Leica 19mm is well on the way to turning in a useable corne. The Canon 16-35mm needs at least another stops to arrive here and the Olympus won't hit its stride until f11 . . .