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Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro vs Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

CanonEF 100mm f/2.8 MacroCanonEF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM
Overview
ReleasedApril 1990March 2016
Optics
Lens typePrimeZoom
Focal length100 mm18–135 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperturef/32f/22–36
Macro lensYes–
Optical constructionTen elements in nine groups16 elements in 12 groups
Special elements–One UD and one aspherical element
Coatings–Super Spectra coatings
Aperture detail–Minimum f/22–36 with one-third-stop increments; f/22–38 with half-stop increments
DiaphragmEight blades according to Canon Camera Museum; minimum f/32Seven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view24° diagonal, 20° horizontal and 14° vertical according to Canon's manual–
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon EFCanon EF-S
Image circleFull frameAPS-C
CompatibilityCanon EF cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensorsCanon EF-S mount APS-C cameras
Adaptor support–Canon UK supports EOS M cameras with an EF-EOS M mount adaptor
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.31 m0.39 m
Maximum magnification1×0.28×
Optical stabilisation–Yes
Autofocus detailAutofocus and manual focus selected with the AF/MF switch; Canon's manual lists Full and Limit focusing-range settingsNano USM; Canon claims up to 4.3× the STM predecessor's focus-lens driving speed when focusing from minimum distance to infinity at 135 mm through the viewfinder
Focus distance detailFull range is 0.31 m to infinity; the manual describes the close-up Limit setting as 0.31–0.57 m and its specification table also lists 0.57 m to infinity as a limited rangeElectronic manual focusing requires an awake camera; manual override in One-Shot AF requires a half-pressed shutter and enabled electronic manual focusing (The Digital Picture)
Magnification detailLife-size 1× reproduction without a converter; minimum focusing distance is measured from the camera's image plane according to Canon's manualMaximum 0.28× at 135 mm
Stabilisation detail–Four-stop optical Image Stabilizer with automatic panning detection
Video features–Optional PZ-E1 power zoom adaptor attaches beneath the lens (The Digital Picture)
Design
Dust and moisture resistant–No
Filter diameter52 mm67 mm
Maximum diameter75 mm77.4 mm
Length105.5 mm96 mm
Weight650 g515 g
ControlsAF/MF switch, Full/Limit switch, focusing ring, distance window, reproduction-ratio and depth-of-field scalesFocus and zoom rings; AF/MF, stabiliser and zoom-lock switches (The Digital Picture)
Zoom design–Extends towards longer focal lengths; zoom lock retains the retracted position (The Digital Picture)
Weather resistance–No full weather sealing or mount gasket (The Digital Picture)
Filter detailFront screw-in filter; Canon's manual permits one filter at a time–
Dimensions detailCanon Camera Museum gives 75 mm maximum diameter × 105.5 mm length and 650 g. Canon's original manual instead lists 105.3 mm length, with 21.5 mm added for front and rear caps; dimensions and weight are lens-only77.4 mm maximum diameter × 96 mm length according to Canon Camera Museum
Lens hood–Optional EW-73D; optional LP1116 pouch (The Digital Picture)
In the box–Lens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E and user manual
Release detailCanon Camera Museum records April 1990 marketing; no first-sale day is givenMarketed in March 2016 according to Canon Camera Museum

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