Request a product

Canon EF 24–70mm f/2.8L 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 24–70mm f/2.8L USMCanonEF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2002April 2017
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length24–70 mm18–55 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/4–5.6
Minimum aperturef/22f/22–32
Optical construction16 elements in 13 groups12 elements in ten groups
Special elementsTwo aspherical elements and one UD elementAspherical lens element
Coatings–Super Spectra coatings
DiaphragmEight blades with a circular apertureSeven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of viewDiagonal 84°–34°; vertical 53°–19°30′; horizontal 74°–29°Horizontal 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 mount full-frame and APS-C camerasCanon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras; 29–88 mm equivalent field of view
Teleconverter supportCanon EF1.4X II and EF2X II extenders are incompatibleCanon extenders cannot be used
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.38 m0.25 m
Maximum magnification0.29×0.25×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailRing-type USM (OpticalLimits); manual override after autofocus in One-Shot AF with the shutter button held halfwayLead-screw STM; electronic manual adjustment after One-Shot autofocus while the shutter button remains half pressed, subject to camera settings
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)Manual 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 detailNo optical image stabilisation (ePHOTOzine)Four-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 diameter83.2 mm66.5 mm
Length123.5 mm61.8 mm
Weight950 g215 g
ControlsFocus mode switch, focus ring, zoom ring, distance scale and infrared index–
Zoom designReverse zoom mechanism; longest at 24 mm and shortest at 70 mm, with the hood enclosing the moving front section (OpticalLimits)Barrel extends when zoomed to 55 mm according to The Digital Picture
Weather resistanceDust- and drip-resistant seal structure; rubber ring around the lens mount–
Dimensions detail83.2 mm maximum diameter × 123.5 mm length; maker dimensions and weight are for the lens alone, excluding caps66.5 mm maximum diameter × 61.8 mm retracted length; dimensions and 215 g weight are lens only, excluding caps
Lens hoodEW-83F; can be reversed for storageEW-63C sold separately; exact manual and Canon Japan list LP1014 optional case, while the UK overview lists LP1016
In the boxE-77U front cap, rear cap, EW-83F hood and LP1219 lens case (manual accessory names; ePHOTOzine box contents)–
Release detailCanon Camera Museum's original-model table records November 2002; its later Mark II retrospective instead refers to September 2002Canon 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