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Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS 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 70–200mm f/2.8L IS II USMCanonEF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2010April 2017
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length70–200 mm18–55 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/4–5.6
Minimum aperturef/32f/22–32
Optical construction23 elements in 19 groups12 elements in ten groups
Special elementsOne fluorite and five UD elementsAspherical lens element
Coatings–Super Spectra coatings
DiaphragmEight blades with a circular apertureSeven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of viewDiagonal 34°–12°; vertical 19°30′–7°; horizontal 29°–10°Horizontal 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 mount full-frame and APS-C camerasCanon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras; 29–88 mm equivalent field of view
Teleconverter supportEF1.4X II gives 98–280 mm f/4 and 0.30× maximum magnification; EF2X II gives 140–400 mm f/5.6 and 0.44×; autofocus remains available but is slowerCanon extenders cannot be used
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance1.2 m0.25 m
Maximum magnification0.21×0.25×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailRing-type USM; full-time manual override after One-Shot autofocus while holding the shutter button halfwayLead-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 a non-rotating front (Bob Atkins); maximum 0.21× magnification at 200 mmManual focusing is unavailable with the camera off or lens asleep; internal focusing with a non-rotating front element according to both reviews
Magnification detail–Maximum 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 detailFour-stop optical IS claim; Mode 1 corrects shake in all directions and Mode 2 supports panning; Canon notes tripod results depend on the tripod and shooting conditionsFour-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 diameter88.8 mm66.5 mm
Length199 mm61.8 mm
Weight1,490 g215 g
ControlsAF/MF, IS on/off and IS mode switches; focus limiter selects 1.2 m–infinity or 2.5 m–infinity–
Zoom designInternal zooming maintains physical length (Bob Atkins)Barrel extends when zoomed to 55 mm according to The Digital Picture
Weather resistanceDust- and moisture-resistant mount, focus-mode switch and focusing ring; rubber gasket at the mount–
Dimensions detail88.8 mm maximum diameter × 199 mm length, measured from the mount to the lens front without caps66.5 mm maximum diameter × 61.8 mm retracted length; dimensions and 215 g weight are lens only, excluding caps
Weight detail1,490 g; Canon's instruction manual states its listed size and weight are for the lens only–
Tripod mountIncluded removable rotating Ring-Type Tripod Collar B (W); detach the lens from the camera before removing the collar–
Lens hoodET-87, with release button and reversible mounting for storageEW-63C sold separately; exact manual and Canon Japan list LP1014 optional case, while the UK overview lists LP1016
In the boxLens hood ET-87, tripod collar and lens case LZ1326 according to Canon's launch announcement; front and rear caps according to Bob Atkins–
Release detailMarketed in March 2010 according to Canon Camera Museum; Canon's 5 January 2010 announcement explicitly identifies the EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS 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.

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