Request a product

Canon EF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM vs Canon EF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 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 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM
Overview
Released2016April 2017
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length24–105 mm18–55 mm
Maximum aperturef/4f/4–5.6
Minimum aperturef/22f/22–32
Optical constructionSeventeen elements in twelve groups12 elements in ten groups
Special elementsFour aspherical elementsAspherical lens element
CoatingsAir Sphere Coating; front and rear fluorine coating according to The Digital PictureSuper Spectra coatings
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′–23°20′; vertical 45°30′–15°40′; diagonal 74°20′–27°50′ according to the exact Canon manual
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 compatible APS-C cameras; 29–88 mm equivalent field of view
Teleconverter supportCanon's manual excludes extendersCanon extenders cannot be used
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 m0.25 m
Maximum magnification0.24×0.25×
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 AFLead-screw STM; electronic manual adjustment after One-Shot autofocus while the shutter button remains half pressed, subject to camera settings
Focus distance detailInternal focusing according to The Digital Picture; Canon instructs users to finish zooming before focusingManual focusing is unavailable with the camera off or lens asleep; internal focusing with a non-rotating front element according to both reviews
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 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 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 resistantYes–
Filter diameter77 mm58 mm
Maximum diameter83.5 mm66.5 mm
Length118 mm61.8 mm
Weight795 g215 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 to 55 mm according to The Digital Picture
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 manual66.5 mm maximum diameter × 61.8 mm retracted length; dimensions and 215 g weight are lens only, excluding caps
Lens hoodEW-83M hood with release button; reversible for storageEW-63C sold separately; exact manual and Canon Japan list LP1014 optional case, while the UK overview lists LP1016
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 differenceCanon 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.

More comparisons