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Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L 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 35mm f/1.4L USMCanonEF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM
Overview
ReleasedDecember 1998March 2016
Optics
Lens typePrimeZoom
Focal length35 mm18–135 mm
Maximum aperturef/1.4f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperturef/22f/22–36
Optical constructionEleven elements in nine groups, with a floating system for close and medium distances16 elements in 12 groups
Special elementsOne ground and polished aspherical glass element according to Canon Camera MuseumOne UD and one aspherical element
Coatings–Super Spectra coatings
Aperture detail–Minimum f/22–36 with one-third-stop increments; f/22–38 with half-stop increments
DiaphragmEight blades according to Canon Camera MuseumSeven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view63° diagonal, 54° horizontal and 38° vertical according to Canon's exact manual–
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon EFCanon EF-S
Image circleFull frameAPS-C
CompatibilityCanon EF 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 distance0.3 m0.39 m
Maximum magnification0.18×0.28×
Optical stabilisation–Yes
Autofocus detailRear focusing with ring USM; full-time manual focus after One Shot AF while holding the shutter button halfway, according to Canon's manualNano 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 detailNon-rotating filter frame according to Canon; constant external length according to PhotozoneElectronic 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 detail–Maximum 0.28× at 135 mm
Stabilisation detail–Four-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 resistantNoNo
Filter diameter72 mm67 mm
Maximum diameter79 mm77.4 mm
Length86 mm96 mm
Weight580 g515 g
ControlsFocus ring, AF/MF switch, distance scale and infrared indexFocus and zoom rings; AF/MF, stabiliser and zoom-lock switches (The Digital Picture)
Zoom design–Extends towards longer focal lengths; zoom lock retains the retracted position (The Digital Picture)
Weather resistanceNo weather sealing according to Photozone's exact-model testNo full weather sealing or mount gasket (The Digital Picture)
Dimensions detailCanon's manual specifies 79 × 86 mm; its Museum table gives 72 × 86 mm; the manual dimensions are used here77.4 mm maximum diameter × 96 mm length according to Canon Camera Museum
Weight detail580 g for the lens only according to Canon's manual; caps add 21.5 mm to the listed length–
Lens hoodEW-78C reversible hood and LP1214 pouch identified by Canon's manual; The Digital Picture confirms both supplied in its reviewed boxOptional 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 detailCanon Camera Museum records December 1998 marketingMarketed in March 2016 according to Canon Camera Museum

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