Request a product

Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II 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 24mm f/1.4L II USMCanonEF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM
Overview
ReleasedDecember 2008April 2017
Optics
Lens typePrimeZoom
Focal length24 mm18–55 mm
Maximum aperturef/1.4f/4–5.6
Minimum aperturef/22f/22–32
Optical constructionThirteen elements in ten groups12 elements in ten groups
Special elementsTwo glass-moulded aspherical elements and two UD elements according to Canon Camera MuseumAspherical lens element
CoatingsSubwavelength Structure Coating to reduce ghosting and flare from light entering at acute anglesSuper Spectra coatings
DiaphragmEight-blade circular apertureSeven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view84° diagonal, 74° horizontal and 53° vertical according to Canon's manualHorizontal 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
CompatibilityFull-frame and APS-C Canon EF DSLR cameras according to Canon UKCanon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras; 29–88 mm equivalent field of view
Teleconverter supportCanon EF1.4X II and EF2X II cannot be used according to Canon's manualCanon extenders cannot be used
Adaptor supportEOS M compatibility with the EF-EOS M mount adaptor according to Canon UK–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.25 m0.25 m
Maximum magnification0.17×0.25×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailRing USM; manual adjustment after One-Shot AF with the shutter held halfway according to Canon's manualLead-screw STM; electronic manual adjustment after One-Shot autofocus while the shutter button remains half pressed, subject to camera settings
Focus distance detailInternal focusing with constant physical length and non-rotating filter according to Photozone and ePHOTOzineManual focusing is unavailable with the camera off or lens asleep; internal focusing with a non-rotating front element according to both reviews
Magnification detail0.17× native; 0.67–0.50× with Extension Tube EF12 II. EF25 II cannot be used; manual focus recommended with the tube according to Canon's manualMaximum 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 stabilisation according to ePHOTOzine's exact-model specification tableFour-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 diameter83.5 mm66.5 mm
Length86.9 mm61.8 mm
Weight650 g215 g
Zoom design–Barrel extends when zoomed to 55 mm according to The Digital Picture
ControlsAF/MF switch, focus ring, distance window, depth-of-field scale and infrared focus index–
Weather resistanceDust- and drip-resistant seal structure and rubber lens-mount ring according to Canon's manual–
Dimensions detail83.5 mm maximum diameter × 86.9 mm length; dimensions and 650 g weight are lens-only. Front and rear caps add 21.5 mm according to Canon's manual66.5 mm maximum diameter × 61.8 mm retracted length; dimensions and 215 g weight are lens only, excluding caps
Lens hoodSupplied reversible EW-83K petal hoodEW-63C sold separately; exact manual and Canon Japan list LP1014 optional case, while the UK overview lists LP1016
In the boxLens, E-77II/E-77U front cap, Lens Dust Cap E, EW-83K hood, LP1319 case and user manual according to Canon UK's box list–
Release detailCanon Camera Museum records December 2008 marketing and explicitly identifies the December 1997 EF 24mm f/1.4L USM as its predecessorCanon 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