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Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro 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 MacroCanonEF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM
Overview
ReleasedApril 1990April 2017
Optics
Lens typePrimeZoom
Focal length100 mm18–55 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/4–5.6
Minimum aperturef/32f/22–32
Macro lensYes–
Optical constructionTen elements in nine groups12 elements in ten groups
Special elements–Aspherical lens element
Coatings–Super Spectra coatings
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 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 support–Canon extenders cannot be used
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.31 m0.25 m
Maximum magnification1×0.25×
Optical stabilisation–Yes
Autofocus detailAutofocus and manual focus selected with the AF/MF switch; Canon's manual lists Full and Limit focusing-range settingsLead-screw STM; electronic manual adjustment after One-Shot autofocus while the shutter button remains half pressed, subject to camera settings
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 rangeManual 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 a converter; minimum focusing distance is measured from the camera's image plane according to Canon's manualMaximum 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 detail–Four-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
Filter diameter52 mm58 mm
Maximum diameter75 mm66.5 mm
Length105.5 mm61.8 mm
Weight650 g215 g
Zoom design–Barrel extends when zoomed to 55 mm according to The Digital Picture
ControlsAF/MF switch, Full/Limit switch, focusing ring, distance window, reproduction-ratio and depth-of-field scales–
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-only66.5 mm maximum diameter × 61.8 mm retracted length; dimensions and 215 g weight are lens only, excluding caps
Lens hood–EW-63C sold separately; exact manual and Canon Japan list LP1014 optional case, while the UK overview lists LP1016
Release detailCanon Camera Museum records April 1990 marketing; no first-sale day is givenCanon 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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