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Canon EF 24–70mm f/2.8L 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 24–70mm f/2.8L USMCanonEF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2002March 2016
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length24–70 mm18–135 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperturef/22f/22–36
Optical construction16 elements in 13 groups16 elements in 12 groups
Special elementsTwo aspherical elements and one 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 viewDiagonal 84°–34°; vertical 53°–19°30′; horizontal 74°–29°–
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon EFCanon EF-S
Image circleFull frameAPS-C
CompatibilityCanon EF mount full-frame and APS-C camerasCanon EF-S mount APS-C cameras
Adaptor support–Canon UK supports EOS M cameras with an EF-EOS M mount adaptor
Teleconverter supportCanon EF1.4X II and EF2X II extenders are incompatible–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.38 m0.39 m
Maximum magnification0.29×0.28×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailRing-type USM (OpticalLimits); manual override after autofocus in One-Shot AF with the shutter button held halfwayNano 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 detail0.38 m minimum focus throughout the zoom range; maximum 0.29× magnification at 70 mm; non-rotating front filter thread (ePHOTOzine and OpticalLimits)Electronic 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 detailNo optical image stabilisation (ePHOTOzine)Four-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 diameter83.2 mm77.4 mm
Length123.5 mm96 mm
Weight950 g515 g
ControlsFocus mode switch, focus ring, zoom ring, distance scale and infrared indexFocus and zoom rings; AF/MF, stabiliser and zoom-lock switches (The Digital Picture)
Zoom designReverse zoom mechanism; longest at 24 mm and shortest at 70 mm, with the hood enclosing the moving front section (OpticalLimits)Extends towards longer focal lengths; zoom lock retains the retracted position (The Digital Picture)
Weather resistanceDust- and drip-resistant seal structure; rubber ring around the lens mountNo full weather sealing or mount gasket (The Digital Picture)
Dimensions detail83.2 mm maximum diameter × 123.5 mm length; maker dimensions and weight are for the lens alone, excluding caps77.4 mm maximum diameter × 96 mm length according to Canon Camera Museum
Lens hoodEW-83F; can be reversed for storageOptional EW-73D; optional LP1116 pouch (The Digital Picture)
In the boxE-77U front cap, rear cap, EW-83F hood and LP1219 lens case (manual accessory names; ePHOTOzine box contents)Lens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E and user manual
Release detailCanon Camera Museum's original-model table records November 2002; its later Mark II retrospective instead refers to September 2002Marketed in March 2016 according to Canon Camera Museum

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