Request a product

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 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/1.4 USMCanonEF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM
Overview
ReleasedJune 1993March 2016
Optics
Lens typePrimeZoom
Focal length50 mm18–135 mm
Maximum aperturef/1.4f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperturef/22f/22–36
Optical constructionSeven elements in six groups16 elements in 12 groups
Special elementsTwo high-refraction glass elements according to Canon Camera MuseumOne UD and one aspherical element
CoatingsSuper Spectra coating according to Canon UKSuper Spectra coatings
Aperture detail–Minimum f/22–36 with one-third-stop increments; f/22–38 with half-stop increments
DiaphragmEight blades; Canon UK's store describes a circular diaphragm, while Photozone finds angular highlights when stopped downSeven 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
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.45 m0.39 m
Maximum magnification0.15×0.28×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailMicro 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 detailOverall linear extension focusing according to Canon USA; front filter thread does not rotate according to The Digital PictureElectronic 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 0.53–0.68× according to Canon UKMaximum 0.28× at 135 mm
Stabilisation detailNo image stabilisation according to The Digital Picture's exact-model specification tableFour-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 diameter58 mm67 mm
Maximum diameter73.8 mm77.4 mm
Length50.5 mm96 mm
Weight290 g515 g
ControlsAF/MF switch, focusing ring, distance 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 resistanceNo weather sealing according to The Digital Picture's exact-model specification tableNo full weather sealing or mount gasket (The Digital Picture)
Dimensions detail73.8 mm diameter × 50.5 mm length in the retracted state according to Canon UK; Canon's manual measures length from the mount surface to the front, with caps adding 21.5 mm77.4 mm maximum diameter × 96 mm length according to Canon Camera Museum
Weight detail290 g for the lens only according to Canon's manual–
Lens hoodOptional ES-71 II hood; reversible for storage according to Canon's manualOptional EW-73D; optional LP1116 pouch (The Digital Picture)
In the boxLens, E-58II cap, Lens Dust Cap E 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 records June 1993 marketingMarketed in March 2016 according to Canon Camera Museum

More comparisons