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Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM 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 135mm f/2L USMCanonEF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM
Overview
ReleasedApril 1996March 2016
Optics
Lens typePrimeZoom
Focal length135 mm18–135 mm
Maximum aperturef/2f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperturef/32f/22–36
Optical constructionTen elements in eight groups16 elements in 12 groups
Special elementsTwo UD glass elements according to Canon Camera MuseumOne UD and one aspherical element
CoatingsSuper Spectra coating according to Canon UKSuper Spectra coatings
Aperture detail–Minimum f/22–36 with one-third-stop increments; f/22–38 with half-stop increments
DiaphragmEight bladesSeven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view15° horizontal, 10° vertical and 18° diagonal according to Canon UK–
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon EFCanon EF-S
Image circleFull frameAPS-C
CompatibilityCanon EF full-frame and APS-C camerasCanon EF-S mount APS-C cameras
Teleconverter supportCanon's manual confirms EF1.4X II gives 189 mm f/2.8 and EF2X II gives 270 mm f/4–
Adaptor supportCanon UK confirms EOS M use with the EF-EOS M Mount AdapterCanon UK supports EOS M cameras with an EF-EOS M mount adaptor
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.9 m0.39 m
Maximum magnification0.19×0.28×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailRing USM; mechanical full-time manual focus after One Shot AF while holding the shutter halfway according to Canon's manualNano 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 detailInternal focusing with constant length and a non-rotating filter thread according to Photozone and ePHOTOzineElectronic 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 detailEF12 II provides 0.09–0.29× and EF25 II 0.20–0.41× according to Canon UKMaximum 0.28× at 135 mm
Stabilisation detailNo optical stabilisation according to ePHOTOzine's exact-model specificationFour-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 resistantNoNo
Filter diameter72 mm67 mm
Maximum diameter82.5 mm77.4 mm
Length112 mm96 mm
Weight750 g515 g
ControlsFocus ring, AF/MF switch, distance window and 0.9 m–infinity or 1.6 m–infinity limiter according to Canon's manualFocus 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 resistanceNo weather sealing according to ePHOTOzine's exact-model testNo full weather sealing or mount gasket (The Digital Picture)
Dimensions detail82.5 mm diameter × 112 mm length, excluding caps according to Canon's manual77.4 mm maximum diameter × 96 mm length according to Canon Camera Museum
Weight detail750 g for the lens only according to Canon's manual–
Lens hoodSupplied reversible ET-78II hoodOptional EW-73D; optional LP1116 pouch (The Digital Picture)
In the boxLens, E-72U front cap, Lens Dust Cap E, LP1219 case, ET-78II hood and user manual according to Canon UK's box listLens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E and user manual
Release detailCanon Camera Museum records April 1996 marketingMarketed in March 2016 according to Canon Camera Museum

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