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Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM vs Canon EF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

CanonEF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USMCanonEF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2000April 2017
Optics
Lens typePrimeZoom
Focal length100 mm18–55 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/4–5.6
Minimum aperturef/32f/22–32
Macro lensYes–
Optical constructionTwelve elements in eight groups with three-group floating focusing12 elements in ten groups
Special elements–Aspherical lens element
Coatings–Super Spectra coatings
DiaphragmEight blades; Canon UK's store describes a circular apertureSeven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view24° diagonal, 20° horizontal and 14° vertical according to Canon's manualHorizontal 64°30′–23°20′; vertical 45°30′–15°40′; diagonal 74°20′–27°50′ according to the exact Canon manual
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon EFCanon EF-S
Image circleFull frameAPS-C
CompatibilityCanon EF cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensorsCanon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras; 29–88 mm equivalent field of view
Teleconverter supportCanon's manual excludes Extender EF1.4X II and EF2X IICanon extenders cannot be used
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.31 m0.25 m
Maximum magnification1×0.25×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailRing USM; full-time manual adjustment after One Shot AF while holding the shutter half-pressed according to Canon's manualLead-screw STM; electronic manual adjustment after One-Shot autofocus while the shutter button remains half pressed, subject to camera settings
Focus distance detailInternal focusing keeps the length constant and the front ring stationary; focus limiter selects 0.31 m to infinity or 0.48 m to infinityManual focusing is unavailable with the camera off or lens asleep; internal focusing with a non-rotating front element according to both reviews
Magnification detailLife-size 1× reproduction without attachments; Canon Camera Museum gives 149 mm working distance at life-size, distinct from 0.31 m image-plane focusing distanceMaximum 0.25× at 55 mm; EF12 II gives 0.82–0.66× at 18 mm and 0.55–0.23× at 55 mm; EF25 II is incompatible at 18 mm and gives 0.91–0.51× at 55 mm
Stabilisation detailNo optical stabilisation according to The Digital Picture's exact-model specification tableFour-stop CIPA claim at 55 mm using an EOS 7D Mark II; automatic panning compensation; Canon recommends switching IS off on a tripod to conserve power
Design
Dust and moisture resistantNo–
Filter diameter58 mm58 mm
Maximum diameter79 mm66.5 mm
Length119 mm61.8 mm
Weight600 g215 g
Zoom design–Barrel extends when zoomed to 55 mm according to The Digital Picture
ControlsAF/MF switch, focus-range switch, focus ring, distance window and reproduction-ratio scale–
Weather resistanceNo weather sealing according to The Digital Picture's exact-model specification table–
Dimensions detailCanon Camera Museum gives 79 mm diameter × 119 mm length and 600 g; Canon's Japanese manual instead lists 78.6 × 118.6 mm and 580 g. Both describe the same model; no separately marketed revision is identified66.5 mm maximum diameter × 61.8 mm retracted length; dimensions and 215 g weight are lens only, excluding caps
Weight detailHeadline weight follows Canon Camera Museum's historical specification; the manual's 580 g figure is lens-only, excluding caps and optional tripod ring–
Tripod mountOptional Ring-type Tripod Mount B (B), with the adaptor specifically for this lens, according to Canon's manual–
Lens hoodET-67; optional according to the two reviewsEW-63C sold separately; exact manual and Canon Japan list LP1014 optional case, while the UK overview lists LP1016
Release detailCanon Camera Museum records March 2000 marketing and explicitly says this replaces the earlier EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro. Its predecessor year of 1991 conflicts with the original lens's own Museum table, which gives April 1990Canon Japan's exact support specification gives first sale on 7 April 2017; Camera Museum gives April. The day is the Japanese release, not a separately confirmed UK day.

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