Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM vs Canon EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 III

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EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM compared with EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 III

	CanonEF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM	CanonEF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 III
Overview
Released
Released	October 2016	March 2011
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	16–35 mm	18–55 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/22–38
Optical construction
Optical construction	Sixteen elements in eleven groups	11 elements in nine groups
Special elements
Special elements	Two large-diameter glass-moulded aspherical elements, one ground aspherical element and two UD elements	High-precision aspherical element
Coatings
Coatings	Air Sphere Coating and Subwavelength Structure Coating; front and rear fluorine coatings according to The Digital Picture	–
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine circular blades	Six blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view
Angle of view	Horizontal 98°–54°; vertical 74°10′–38°; diagonal 108°10′–63°	–
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Canon EF	Canon EF-S
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	APS-C
Compatibility
Compatibility	Full-frame and APS-C Canon EF DSLRs	Canon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	Extenders cannot be used; the manual also states that no compatible close-up lenses are available	–
Adaptor support
Adaptor support	Canon UK lists EOS M use with the EF-EOS M mount adaptor	–
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.28 m	0.25 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.25×	0.34×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	No	No
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Ring USM with full-time manual override; keep the shutter half-pressed after autofocus when adjusting focus manually	Autofocus and manual focus selected with the lens switch according to Focus Review
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	–	Manual focusing uses the ribbed front tube; plastic barrel and mount according to Focus Review
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	–	No image stabiliser according to Focus Review's exact-model test
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	At 35 mm, EF12 II gives 0.65×–0.36× and EF25 II gives 1.14×–0.80×; both tubes are incompatible at 16 mm	–
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	–
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	82 mm	58 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	88.5 mm	68.5 mm
Length
Length	127.5 mm	70 mm
Weight
Weight	790 g	190 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Separate zoom and focus rings, AF/MF switch and distance window	–
Zoom design
Zoom design	Constant outer length with inner front-tube movement according to both reviews; the manual advises zooming before focusing	–
Filter detail
Filter detail	One front filter may be fitted; the manual specifies the 82 mm Canon PL-C B polariser and removing the hood for adjustment	–
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Sealed construction and rubber mount ring; the manual recommends an 82 mm Canon PROTECT filter for best dust and water resistance	–
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Length measured from the mount surface to the front; front and rear caps add 24 mm	68.5 mm maximum diameter × 70 mm length
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 790 g for the lens alone, excluding accessories, in Canon's instruction manual	–
Lens hood
Lens hood	Reversible EW-88D hood with release button	–
In the box
In the box	Lens, EW-88D hood, LP1222 case, E-82 II front cap, rear cap E and user manual	–
Release detail
Release detail	Canon Camera Museum records October 2016 marketing; no first-sale day is stated	Canon Camera Museum records March 2011 marketing and explicitly identifies this model as the successor to the EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II. No separately verified UK first-sale day is published in these sources.