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Canon EF 24–105mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM 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 24–105mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STMCanonEF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM
Overview
ReleasedDecember 2014March 2016
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length24–105 mm18–135 mm
Maximum aperturef/3.5–5.6f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperturef/22–36f/22–36
Optical constructionSeventeen elements in thirteen groups16 elements in 12 groups
Special elementsAspherical and UD elementsOne UD and one aspherical element
Coatings–Super Spectra coatings
Aperture detailMinimum aperture f/22–36 with third-stop increments, or f/22–32 with half-stop increments, according to Canon's exact manual and Museum tableMinimum f/22–36 with one-third-stop increments; f/22–38 with half-stop increments
DiaphragmSeven blades with a circular apertureSeven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view84°–23°20′ diagonal, 74°–19°20′ horizontal and 53°–13° vertical–
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon EFCanon EF-S
Image circleFull frameAPS-C
CompatibilityCanon EF cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensorsCanon EF-S mount APS-C cameras
Teleconverter supportCanon's manual excludes extenders–
Adaptor supportEF12 II gives 0.61–0.50× at 24 mm and 0.46–0.12× at 105 mm; EF25 II is incompatible at 24 mm and gives 0.67–0.27× at 105 mmCanon UK supports EOS M cameras with an EF-EOS M mount adaptor
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.4 m0.39 m
Maximum magnification0.3×0.28×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailLead-screw STM autofocus with electronic manual focusing. One Shot AF permits manual adjustment with the shutter half-pressed; manual focusing is unavailable when the camera is off or the lens is asleepNano 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 a non-rotating filter thread according to ePHOTOzine. Canon instructs users to finish zooming before focusingElectronic 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 detail–Maximum 0.28× at 135 mm
Stabilisation detailFour-stop claim measured at 105 mm with the EOS-1D X under CIPA standards. The manual describes automatic correction for still subjects and panningFour-stop optical Image Stabilizer with automatic panning detection
Video featuresSmooth Movie Servo AF with compatible cameras; the original manual lists EOS 70D, 700D, 100D and 650D, plus EOS M/M2 with an EF-EOS M adaptorOptional PZ-E1 power zoom adaptor attaches beneath the lens (The Digital Picture)
Design
Dust and moisture resistant–No
Filter diameter77 mm67 mm
Maximum diameter83.4 mm77.4 mm
Length104 mm96 mm
Weight525 g515 g
ControlsAF/MF and stabilisation switches, separate focus and zoom rings, and a zoom lock at 24 mmFocus and zoom rings; AF/MF, stabiliser and zoom-lock switches (The Digital Picture)
Zoom designExtending barrel with transport lock at the shortest positionExtends towards longer focal lengths; zoom lock retains the retracted position (The Digital Picture)
Weather resistance–No full weather sealing or mount gasket (The Digital Picture)
Dimensions detailMaximum diameter × length; size and 525 g weight are lens-only. Caps add 24.2 mm to length according to Canon's manual77.4 mm maximum diameter × 96 mm length according to Canon Camera Museum
Lens hoodOptional EW-83M hood with release button; reversible for storageOptional EW-73D; optional LP1116 pouch (The Digital Picture)
In the box–Lens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E and user manual
Release detailCanon Camera Museum records December 2014 marketing; no first-sale day is givenMarketed in March 2016 according to Canon Camera Museum

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