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Canon EF 24–105mm f/4L IS USM 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/4L IS USMCanonEF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM
Overview
Released2005March 2016
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length24–105 mm18–135 mm
Maximum aperturef/4f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperturef/22f/22–36
Optical constructionEighteen elements in thirteen groups16 elements in 12 groups
Special elementsThree aspherical elements, comprising two replica and one glass-moulded element, plus one Super UD elementOne UD and one aspherical element
Coatings–Super Spectra coatings
Aperture detail–Minimum f/22–36 with one-third-stop increments; f/22–38 with half-stop increments
DiaphragmEight 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 EF1.4X II and EF2X II extenders–
Adaptor supportEF12 II extension tube gives 0.60–0.50× at 24 mm and 0.40–0.12× at 105 mm; EF25 II is incompatible at 24 mm and gives 0.61–0.27× at 105 mmCanon UK supports EOS M cameras with an EF-EOS M mount adaptor
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.45 m0.39 m
Maximum magnification0.23×0.28×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailRing USM autofocus with full-time manual focusing. Canon's manual specifies turning the ring with the shutter half-pressed after One Shot AFNano 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 without front-element rotation according to The Digital PictureElectronic 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 detailCanon claims stabilisation equivalent to a shutter speed three stops faster. The manual cautions that stabilisation may be less effective when panning and cannot compensate for subject movementFour-stop optical Image Stabilizer with automatic panning detection
Video features–Optional PZ-E1 power zoom adaptor attaches beneath the lens (The Digital Picture)
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesNo
Filter diameter77 mm67 mm
Maximum diameter83.5 mm77.4 mm
Length107 mm96 mm
Weight670 g515 g
ControlsSeparate zoom and focus rings, AF/MF and stabilisation switches, distance window and infrared focus indexFocus and zoom rings; AF/MF, stabiliser and zoom-lock switches (The Digital Picture)
Zoom designExtending barrel with rotary zoom control according to both reviewsExtends towards longer focal lengths; zoom lock retains the retracted position (The Digital Picture)
Weather resistanceCanon's manual describes a sealed structure and rubber mount ring for dust and drip resistance. The Digital Picture recommends a protective filter to complete protectionNo full weather sealing or mount gasket (The Digital Picture)
Dimensions detailMaximum diameter × length; size and 670 g weight are lens-only. Caps add 21.5 mm to length according to Canon's manual77.4 mm maximum diameter × 96 mm length according to Canon Camera Museum
Lens hoodEW-83H petal hood, reversible for storageOptional EW-73D; optional LP1116 pouch (The Digital Picture)
In the boxLens, EW-83H hood and soft pouch according to The Digital PictureLens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E and user manual
Release detailCanon Camera Museum's exact-model table records October 2005 marketing. Its later EF 24–105mm IS STM page retrospectively describes this lens as released in September 2005; no first-sale day or explanation for the month difference is givenMarketed in March 2016 according to Canon Camera Museum

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