Request a product

Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM vs Canon EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 III

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 III USMCanonEF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 III
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2018March 2011
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length70–200 mm18–55 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperturef/32f/22–38
Optical construction23 elements in 19 groups; retains the optical layout of the EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS II USM11 elements in nine groups
Special elementsOne fluorite and five UD elementsHigh-precision aspherical element
CoatingsAir Sphere Coating and revised optical coatings; fluorine coating on front and rear element surfaces–
DiaphragmEight blades with a circular apertureSix blades with a circular aperture
Angle of viewDiagonal 34°–12°; vertical 19°30′–7°; horizontal 29°–10°–
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
Teleconverter supportEF1.4X III gives 98–280 mm f/4 and 0.30× maximum magnification; EF2X III gives 140–400 mm f/5.6 and 0.44×; autofocus remains available but is slower–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance1.2 m0.25 m
Maximum magnification0.21×0.34×
Optical stabilisationYesNo
Autofocus detailRing-type USM; full-time manual override after One-Shot autofocus while holding the shutter button halfwayAutofocus and manual focus selected with the lens switch according to Focus Review
Focus distance detailInternal focusing; maximum 0.21× magnification at 200 mmManual focusing uses the ribbed front tube; plastic barrel and mount according to Focus Review
Stabilisation detailUp to 3.5 stops under CIPA testing at 200 mm on an EOS-1D X Mark II; Mode 1 for still subjects and Mode 2 for panning; Canon notes tripod results depend on the tripod and shooting conditionsNo image stabiliser according to Focus Review's exact-model test
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYes–
Filter diameter77 mm58 mm
Maximum diameter88.8 mm68.5 mm
Length199 mm70 mm
Weight1,480 g190 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 (Digital Camera World)–
Weather resistanceDust- and moisture-resistant construction with a rubber gasket at the mount–
Dimensions detail88.8 mm maximum diameter × 199 mm length, measured from the mount to the lens front; add 24.2 mm for front and rear caps68.5 mm maximum diameter × 70 mm length
Weight detailApproximately 1,480 g lens only according to Canon's instruction manual, UK store and Camera Museum; a Canon USA one-page specification chart instead lists approximately 1,440 g–
Tripod mountIncluded removable rotating B (W II) tripod mount ring; detach the lens from the camera before removing the collar–
Lens hoodET-87, with release button and reversible mounting for storage–
In the boxET-87 hood and LZ1326 lens case according to the UK store; tripod mount ring included according to Canon's instruction manual–
Release detailMarketed in September 2018 according to Canon Camera Museum; Canon USA's 7 June announcement had scheduled US shipping for August 2018Canon Camera Museum records March 2011 marketing and explicitly identifies this model as the successor to the EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II. No separately verified UK first-sale day is published in these sources.

More comparisons