Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L USM vs Canon EF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

EF 16–35mm f/2.8L USM compared with EF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM

	CanonEF 16–35mm f/2.8L USM	CanonEF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM
Overview
Released
Released	December 2001	April 2017
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/4–5.6
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/22–32
Optical construction
Optical construction	Fourteen elements in ten groups	12 elements in ten groups
Special elements
Special elements	Three aspherical elements, comprising ground-and-polished, replica and glass-moulded types, plus two UD elements according to Photozone	Aspherical lens element
Coatings
Coatings	–	Super Spectra coatings
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Seven blades; circular aperture according to both reviews	Seven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view
Angle of view	–	Horizontal 64°30′–23°20′; vertical 45°30′–15°40′; diagonal 74°20′–27°50′ according to the exact Canon manual
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Canon EF	Canon EF-S
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	APS-C
Compatibility
Compatibility	Canon EF cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensors	Canon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras; 29–88 mm equivalent field of view
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	–	Canon extenders cannot be used
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.28 m	0.25 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.22×	0.25×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	–	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Ring USM autofocus with full-time manual focusing in One Shot AF according to Photozone	Lead-screw STM; electronic manual adjustment after One-Shot autofocus while the shutter button remains half pressed, subject to camera settings
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Floating optical system according to Photozone; non-rotating filter thread according to both reviews	Manual focusing is unavailable with the camera off or lens asleep; internal focusing with a non-rotating front element according to both reviews
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	–	Maximum 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
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
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	–
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	77 mm	58 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	83.5 mm	66.5 mm
Length
Length	103 mm	61.8 mm
Weight
Weight	600 g	215 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Separate focus and zoom rings, focus-mode switch and distance window	–
Zoom design
Zoom design	Constant outer length with some internal tube movement according to Photozone	Barrel extends when zoomed to 55 mm according to The Digital Picture
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	–	66.5 mm maximum diameter × 61.8 mm retracted length; dimensions and 215 g weight are lens only, excluding caps
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Canon identifies water and dust resistance at the lens mount, switch panel, zoom ring and focusing ring	–
Lens hood
Lens hood	EW-83E hood and LP1319 soft pouch according to The Digital Picture	EW-63C sold separately; exact manual and Canon Japan list LP1014 optional case, while the UK overview lists LP1016
In the box
In the box	Lens, hood and case according to Canon Camera Museum	–
Release detail
Release detail	Canon Camera Museum records December 2001 marketing; no first-sale day is given	Canon 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.