Request a product

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L 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 50mm f/1.2L USMCanonEF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM
Overview
ReleasedJanuary 2007March 2016
Optics
Lens typePrimeZoom
Focal length50 mm18–135 mm
Maximum aperturef/1.2f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperturef/16f/22–36
Optical constructionEight elements in six groups16 elements in 12 groups
Special elementsLarge-diameter, high-precision aspherical glass element according to Canon's manual and Camera MuseumOne UD and one aspherical element
CoatingsSuper Spectra coating according to Canon UK's storeSuper Spectra coatings
Aperture detail–Minimum f/22–36 with one-third-stop increments; f/22–38 with half-stop increments
DiaphragmEight circular blades according to Canon Camera MuseumSeven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view46° diagonal, 40° horizontal and 27° vertical–
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
Teleconverter supportEF 1.4X II and EF 2X II cannot be used according to Canon's manual–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.45 m0.39 m
Maximum magnification0.15×0.28×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailRing USM with mechanical full-time manual focus; Canon's manual permits adjustment after One Shot AF while holding the shutter button halfwayNano 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 detail–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 detailEF12 II extension tube gives 0.24–0.39×; EF25 II gives 0.53–0.67×; Canon recommends manual focus with extension tubesMaximum 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 resistantYesNo
Filter diameter72 mm67 mm
Maximum diameter85.8 mm77.4 mm
Length65.5 mm96 mm
Weight580 g515 g
ControlsAF/MF switch, focusing ring, distance scale, depth-of-field scale and infrared index according to Canon's manualFocus 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 resistanceCanon's manual requires a separately sold 72 mm Canon PROTECT filter for dust and water resistance because the front element moves when focusing; without the filter it is not dust or water resistantNo full weather sealing or mount gasket (The Digital Picture)
Dimensions detail85.8 mm diameter × 65.5 mm length according to Canon UK; manual measures length from the mount surface to the front, with caps adding 21.5 mm; Canon USA instead lists 85.4 mm diameter77.4 mm maximum diameter × 96 mm length according to Canon Camera Museum
Weight detailCanon UK's specification page lists 580 g; its store, Canon Camera Museum and the manual list 590 g, while Canon USA lists 545 g lens-only; the manual states its weight excludes accessories–
Lens hoodSupplied ES-78 hood; reversible for storage according to Canon's manualOptional EW-73D; optional LP1116 pouch (The Digital Picture)
In the boxLens, E-72U cap, Lens Dust Cap E, ES-78 hood, LP1214 case and user manual according to Canon UK's storeLens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E and user manual
Release detailCanon Camera Museum and Canon's 2021 retrospective record January 2007 release; the August 2006 Japanese announcement initially planned late November 2006Marketed in March 2016 according to Canon Camera Museum

More comparisons