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Canon EF 35mm 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 35mm f/1.4L II USMCanonEF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2015April 2017
Optics
Lens typePrimeZoom
Focal length35 mm18–55 mm
Maximum aperturef/1.4f/4–5.6
Minimum aperturef/22f/22–32
Optical constructionFourteen elements in eleven groups12 elements in ten groups
Special elementsBR optical element between convex and concave glass elements; two aspherical lenses and one UD lens according to Canon Camera MuseumAspherical lens element
CoatingsSubwavelength Structure Coating; fluorine on front and rear elements according to Canon's product overview and MuseumSuper Spectra coatings
DiaphragmNine blades with a circular apertureSeven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view54° horizontal, 38° vertical and 63° diagonal according to Canon UKHorizontal 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 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
Adaptor supportCanon UK confirms EOS M use with the EF-EOS M Mount Adapter–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.28 m0.25 m
Maximum magnification0.21×0.25×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailRing USM with full-time manual focus according to Canon UKLead-screw STM; electronic manual adjustment after One-Shot autofocus while the shutter button remains half pressed, subject to camera settings
Focus distance detailConstant external length and non-rotating front during focusing according to ePHOTOzineManual focusing is unavailable with the camera off or lens asleep; internal focusing with a non-rotating front element according to both reviews
Magnification detailCanon UK specifies 0.36–0.58× with EF12 II and 0.80–1.03× with EF25 II extension tubesMaximum 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 specificationFour-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 diameter72 mm58 mm
Maximum diameter80.4 mm66.5 mm
Length105.5 mm61.8 mm
Weight760 g215 g
Zoom design–Barrel extends when zoomed to 55 mm according to The Digital Picture
Weather resistanceMount, switches and focus ring have dust- and water-resistant construction; not described as waterproof–
Dimensions detail80.4 mm maximum diameter × 105.5 mm length and 760 g according to Canon UK66.5 mm maximum diameter × 61.8 mm retracted length; dimensions and 215 g weight are lens only, excluding caps
Lens hoodSupplied EW-77B hood according to Canon UK's box listEW-63C sold separately; exact manual and Canon Japan list LP1014 optional case, while the UK overview lists LP1016
In the boxLens, E-72II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E, LP1219 case, EW-77B hood and user manual according to Canon UK–
Release detailCanon's August 2016 retrospective explicitly records release in September 2015; its Museum table records October 2015, also the originally scheduled month in the August 2015 announcementCanon 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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