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Canon EF 24–70mm 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 24–70mm f/4L IS USMCanonEF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM
Overview
ReleasedDecember 2012March 2016
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length24–70 mm18–135 mm
Maximum aperturef/4f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperturef/22f/22–36
Optical construction15 elements in 12 groups16 elements in 12 groups
Special elementsTwo aspherical and two UD elementsOne UD and one aspherical element
CoatingsSuper Spectra coatings; Canon also specifies easy-clean lens-element coatingsSuper Spectra coatings
Aperture detail–Minimum f/22–36 with one-third-stop increments; f/22–38 with half-stop increments
DiaphragmNine blades with a circular apertureSeven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of viewHorizontal 74°–29°; vertical 53°–19°30′; diagonal 84°–34°–
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
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.2 m0.39 m
Maximum magnification0.7×0.28×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailRing-type USM with full-time manual overrideNano 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 detailNormal minimum focus 0.38 m; dedicated macro mode reaches 0.2 m according to Canon Camera Museum; approximately 3 cm working distance at maximum magnification (Bob Atkins)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 detailMaximum 0.21× in normal operation and 0.7× in the separate macro position beyond the telephoto endMaximum 0.28× at 135 mm
Stabilisation detailFour-stop optical IS claim; automatic panning detection; Hybrid IS compensates angular and shift movements in macro modeFour-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 diameter83.4 mm77.4 mm
Length93 mm96 mm
Weight600 g515 g
ControlsMacro/zoom-lock switch; AF/MF and IS switches; focus ring, zoom ring and distance scaleFocus and zoom rings; AF/MF, stabiliser and zoom-lock switches (The Digital Picture)
Zoom designBarrel extends towards 70 mm; zoom lock operates at 24 mm (Bob Atkins)Extends towards longer focal lengths; zoom lock retains the retracted position (The Digital Picture)
Weather resistanceSealed against dust and moistureNo full weather sealing or mount gasket (The Digital Picture)
Dimensions detail83.4 mm maximum diameter × 93 mm length in the retracted state77.4 mm maximum diameter × 96 mm length according to Canon Camera Museum
Lens hoodEW-83L hood; Canon lists LP1219 pouch as an accessoryOptional EW-73D; optional LP1116 pouch (The Digital Picture)
In the box–Lens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E and user manual
Release detailMarketed in December 2012 according to Canon Camera MuseumMarketed in March 2016 according to Canon Camera Museum

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