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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 STM

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 STM
Overview
Released2016June 2012
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 with a six-group zoom design
Special elementsFour aspherical elementsOne UD and one high-precision aspherical element
Aperture detail–Minimum f/22–36 with one-third-stop increments; Canon UK's table lists f/22–38 with f/36 qualified for one-third stops
CoatingsAir Sphere Coating; front and rear fluorine coating according to The Digital Picture–
DiaphragmTen blades with a circular apertureSeven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view84°–23°20′ diagonal, 74°–19°20′ horizontal and 53°–13° verticalHorizontal 64°30′–9°30′; vertical 45°30′–6°20′; diagonal 74°20′–11°30′
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 m0.39 m
Maximum magnification0.24×0.28×
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 AFSTM; manual override after autofocus without changing focus mode
Focus distance detailInternal focusing according to The Digital Picture; Canon instructs users to finish zooming before focusingElectronic manual focus; adjustments in single autofocus mode after focus locks; non-rotating front filter thread (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 directionFour-stop optical Image Stabilizer claim for still photographs
Video features–Dynamic IS for video; smooth Movie Servo AF on compatible cameras, including EOS 650D
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYes–
Filter diameter77 mm67 mm
Maximum diameter83.5 mm76.6 mm
Length118 mm96 mm
Weight795 g480 g
ControlsAF/MF and stabilisation switches, separate focus and zoom rings, distance window, infrared index and transport lock at 24 mmFocus and zoom rings; zoom lock lever
Zoom designExtending barrel; zoom lock holds the shortest 24 mm position–
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 manual76.6 mm maximum diameter × 96 mm length in the retracted state
Lens hoodEW-83M hood with release button; reversible for storageOptional EW-73B; LP1116 pouch available separately
In the boxLens, E-77 II front cap, Dust Lens Cap E, EW-83M hood, LP1219 case and manual according to Canon UK–
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 June 2012 according to Canon Camera Museum

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