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Canon EF 24–70mm f/4L IS 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/4L IS USMCanonEF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM
Overview
ReleasedDecember 2012April 2017
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length24–70 mm18–55 mm
Maximum aperturef/4f/4–5.6
Minimum aperturef/22f/22–32
Optical construction15 elements in 12 groups12 elements in ten groups
Special elementsTwo aspherical and two UD elementsAspherical lens element
CoatingsSuper Spectra coatings; Canon also specifies easy-clean lens-element coatingsSuper Spectra coatings
DiaphragmNine blades with a circular apertureSeven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of viewHorizontal 74°–29°; vertical 53°–19°30′; diagonal 84°–34°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 support–Canon extenders cannot be used
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.2 m0.25 m
Maximum magnification0.7×0.25×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailRing-type USM with full-time manual overrideLead-screw STM; electronic manual adjustment after One-Shot autofocus while the shutter button remains half pressed, subject to camera settings
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)Manual focusing is unavailable with the camera off or lens asleep; internal focusing with a non-rotating front element according to both reviews
Magnification detailMaximum 0.21× in normal operation and 0.7× in the separate macro position beyond the telephoto endMaximum 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 detailFour-stop optical IS claim; automatic panning detection; Hybrid IS compensates angular and shift movements in macro modeFour-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 diameter83.4 mm66.5 mm
Length93 mm61.8 mm
Weight600 g215 g
ControlsMacro/zoom-lock switch; AF/MF and IS switches; focus ring, zoom ring and distance scale–
Zoom designBarrel extends towards 70 mm; zoom lock operates at 24 mm (Bob Atkins)Barrel extends when zoomed to 55 mm according to The Digital Picture
Weather resistanceSealed against dust and moisture–
Dimensions detail83.4 mm maximum diameter × 93 mm length in the retracted state66.5 mm maximum diameter × 61.8 mm retracted length; dimensions and 215 g weight are lens only, excluding caps
Lens hoodEW-83L hood; Canon lists LP1219 pouch as an accessoryEW-63C sold separately; exact manual and Canon Japan list LP1014 optional case, while the UK overview lists LP1016
Release detailMarketed in December 2012 according to Canon Camera MuseumCanon 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.

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