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Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS 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 70–200mm f/2.8L IS USMCanonEF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2001March 2016
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length70–200 mm18–135 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperturef/32f/22–36
Optical construction23 elements in 18 groups16 elements in 12 groups
Special elementsFour UD elementsOne 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 with a circular apertureSeven 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 mount APS-C cameras
Adaptor support–Canon UK supports EOS M cameras with an EF-EOS M mount adaptor
Teleconverter supportEF1.4X II gives 98–280 mm f/4 and 0.24× maximum magnification; EF2X II gives 140–400 mm f/5.6 and 0.36×; autofocus supported but slower–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance1.4 m0.39 m
Maximum magnification0.17×0.28×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailRing-type USM (The Digital Picture); manual override after One-Shot autofocus 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 detailInternal focusing with a non-rotating front; maximum 0.17× magnification at 200 mmElectronic 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 detailThree-stop optical IS claim; Mode 1 for general shooting and Mode 2 for panning; Canon manual recommends switching off on a tripod to save battery powerFour-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 diameter77 mm67 mm
Maximum diameter86.2 mm77.4 mm
Length197 mm96 mm
Weight1,470 g515 g
ControlsAF/MF, IS on/off and IS mode switches; focus limiter selects 1.4 m–infinity or 2.5 m–infinityFocus and zoom rings; AF/MF, stabiliser and zoom-lock switches (The Digital Picture)
Zoom designInternal zooming maintains physical length (ePHOTOzine and The Digital Picture)Extends towards longer focal lengths; zoom lock retains the retracted position (The Digital Picture)
Weather resistanceSealed against dust and moisture; rubber gasket around the lens mountNo full weather sealing or mount gasket (The Digital Picture)
Dimensions detail86.2 mm maximum diameter × 197 mm length; lens dimensions exclude caps77.4 mm maximum diameter × 96 mm length according to Canon Camera Museum
Weight detail1,470 g lens alone; 1,590 g with the tripod collar according to Canon's instruction manual–
Tripod mountIncluded removable rotating collar; detach the lens from the camera before removing the collar–
Lens hoodET-86, reversible for storageOptional EW-73D; optional LP1116 pouch (The Digital Picture)
In the boxLens hood, tripod collar and lens case (The Digital Picture); manual identifies ET-86 hood, E-77U cap and LZ1324 caseLens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E and user manual
Release detailMarketed in September 2001 according to Canon Camera MuseumMarketed in March 2016 according to Canon Camera Museum

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