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Canon EF 135mm f/2L 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 135mm f/2L USMCanonEF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM
Overview
ReleasedApril 1996April 2017
Optics
Lens typePrimeZoom
Focal length135 mm18–55 mm
Maximum aperturef/2f/4–5.6
Minimum aperturef/32f/22–32
Optical constructionTen elements in eight groups12 elements in ten groups
Special elementsTwo UD glass elements according to Canon Camera MuseumAspherical lens element
CoatingsSuper Spectra coating according to Canon UKSuper Spectra coatings
DiaphragmEight bladesSeven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view15° horizontal, 10° vertical and 18° diagonal according to Canon UKHorizontal 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 full-frame and APS-C camerasCanon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras; 29–88 mm equivalent field of view
Teleconverter supportCanon's manual confirms EF1.4X II gives 189 mm f/2.8 and EF2X II gives 270 mm f/4Canon extenders cannot be used
Adaptor supportCanon UK confirms EOS M use with the EF-EOS M Mount Adapter–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.9 m0.25 m
Maximum magnification0.19×0.25×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailRing USM; mechanical full-time manual focus after One Shot AF while holding the shutter halfway 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 with constant length and a non-rotating filter thread according to Photozone and ePHOTOzineManual focusing is unavailable with the camera off or lens asleep; internal focusing with a non-rotating front element according to both reviews
Magnification detailEF12 II provides 0.09–0.29× and EF25 II 0.20–0.41× according to Canon UKMaximum 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 ePHOTOzine's exact-model specificationFour-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 diameter72 mm58 mm
Maximum diameter82.5 mm66.5 mm
Length112 mm61.8 mm
Weight750 g215 g
Zoom design–Barrel extends when zoomed to 55 mm according to The Digital Picture
ControlsFocus ring, AF/MF switch, distance window and 0.9 m–infinity or 1.6 m–infinity limiter according to Canon's manual–
Weather resistanceNo weather sealing according to ePHOTOzine's exact-model test–
Dimensions detail82.5 mm diameter × 112 mm length, excluding caps according to Canon's manual66.5 mm maximum diameter × 61.8 mm retracted length; dimensions and 215 g weight are lens only, excluding caps
Weight detail750 g for the lens only according to Canon's manual–
Lens hoodSupplied reversible ET-78II hoodEW-63C sold separately; exact manual and Canon Japan list LP1014 optional case, while the UK overview lists LP1016
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 list–
Release detailCanon Camera Museum records April 1996 marketingCanon 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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