Request a product

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS 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/2.8L Macro IS USMCanonEF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2009April 2017
Optics
Lens typePrimeZoom
Focal length100 mm18–55 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/4–5.6
Minimum aperturef/32f/22–32
Macro lensYes–
Optical constructionFifteen elements in twelve groups12 elements in ten groups
Special elementsOne UD element according to Canon Camera MuseumAspherical lens element
Coatings–Super Spectra coatings
DiaphragmNine blades with a circular apertureSeven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of viewCanon UK specifies 24° diagonal, 19.8° horizontal and 13.5° vertical; the Japanese manual rounds horizontal and vertical to 20° and 14°Horizontal 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
Adaptor supportCanon UK confirms EOS M compatibility using the EF-EOS M Mount Adapter–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.3 m0.25 m
Maximum magnification1×0.25×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailRing USM with 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; limiter selects full 0.3 m to infinity, 0.3–0.5 m or 0.5 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; 0.3 m focusing distance is measured from the image plane, while the manual gives approximately 14 cm working distance from the lens frontMaximum 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 detailHybrid IS corrects angular and lateral shift shake; Canon claims four stops in general shooting, three at 0.5× and two at 1×. The manual notes that subject movement is not correctedFour-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 resistantYes–
Filter diameter67 mm58 mm
Maximum diameter77.7 mm66.5 mm
Length123 mm61.8 mm
Weight625 g215 g
Zoom design–Barrel extends when zoomed to 55 mm according to The Digital Picture
ControlsAF/MF switch, three-position focus-range limiter, stabiliser on/off switch, focus ring and distance window–
Weather resistanceDust and moisture resistance with a rubber seal around the lens mount–
Dimensions detail77.7 mm maximum diameter × 123 mm length; dimensions and 625 g weight are lens-only according to Canon's manual66.5 mm maximum diameter × 61.8 mm retracted length; dimensions and 215 g weight are lens only, excluding caps
Tripod mountOptional Ring-type Tripod Mount D (B), removable with the camera attached according to Canon's manual–
Lens hoodSupplied ET-73 hood according to Canon UKEW-63C sold separately; exact manual and Canon Japan list LP1014 optional case, while the UK overview lists LP1016
In the boxLens, E-67U front cap, Lens Dust Cap E, LP1219 case, ET-73 hood and user manual according to Canon UK–
Release detailCanon Camera Museum records October 2009 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.

More comparisons