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Canon EF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM vs Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

CanonEF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USMCanonEF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS
Overview
Released2016October 2009
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length24–105 mm18–135 mm
Maximum aperturef/4f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperturef/22f/22–36
Optical constructionSeventeen elements in twelve groups16 elements in 12 groups
Special elementsFour aspherical elementsUD and glass-moulded aspherical elements
CoatingsAir Sphere Coating; front and rear fluorine coating according to The Digital Picture–
DiaphragmTen blades with a circular apertureSix 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 full-frame and APS-C DSLRs; EOS M cameras require an EF-EOS M mount adaptorCanon EF-S mount APS-C cameras
Image circle detail–Canon quotes a full-frame angle-of-view equivalent of 29–216 mm
Teleconverter supportCanon's manual excludes extenders–
Adaptor supportEF12 II gives 0.60–0.50× at 24 mm and 0.41–0.12× at 105 mm; EF25 II is incompatible at 24 mm and gives 0.61–0.27× at 105 mm–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.45 m0.45 m
Maximum magnification0.24×0.21×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailUSM autofocus with full-time manual focusing. Canon's manual specifies turning the ring with the shutter half-pressed after One Shot AFDC micromotor; no full-time manual focus; switch to MF before turning the focus ring (Bob Atkins)
Focus distance detailInternal focusing according to The Digital Picture; Canon instructs users to finish zooming before focusingInternal focusing; front filter thread does not rotate during focusing or zooming (Bob Atkins and ePHOTOzine)
Stabilisation detailCanon claims four-stop optical stabilisation. The exact manual describes automatic adjustment for still subjects and panning, with correction perpendicular to the panning directionApproximately four-stop optical Image Stabilizer claim
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYes–
Filter diameter77 mm67 mm
Maximum diameter83.5 mm75.4 mm
Length118 mm101 mm
Weight795 g455 g
ControlsAF/MF and stabilisation switches, separate focus and zoom rings, distance window, infrared index and transport lock at 24 mm–
Zoom designExtending barrel; zoom lock holds the shortest 24 mm positionBarrel extends when zoomed towards 135 mm (Bob Atkins)
Weather resistanceCanon UK describes dust and moisture sealing; the manual identifies a rubber mount ring. The Digital Picture recommends a protective filter to complete front sealing–
Dimensions detailMaximum diameter × retracted length; size and 795 g weight are lens-only. Caps add 24.2 mm to length according to Canon's manual75.4 mm maximum diameter × 101 mm length
Lens hoodEW-83M hood with release button; reversible for storageOptional EW-73B; hood and case not supplied (Bob Atkins)
In the boxLens, E-77 II front cap, Dust Lens Cap E, EW-83M hood, LP1219 case and manual according to Canon UKLens caps and instructions (ePHOTOzine)
Release detailCanon Camera Museum's exact-model table records October 2016 marketing; its later RF 24–105mm page retrospectively says November 2016. The year is used because the maker gives conflicting months without explaining a regional differenceMarketed in October 2009 according to Canon Camera Museum

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