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Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS 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 USMCanonEF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2001April 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 18 groups12 elements in ten groups
Special elementsFour 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 0.24× maximum magnification; EF2X II gives 140–400 mm f/5.6 and 0.36×; autofocus supported but slowerCanon extenders cannot be used
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance1.4 m0.25 m
Maximum magnification0.17×0.25×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailRing-type USM (The Digital Picture); 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; maximum 0.17× 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 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 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 diameter86.2 mm66.5 mm
Length197 mm61.8 mm
Weight1,470 g215 g
ControlsAF/MF, IS on/off and IS mode switches; focus limiter selects 1.4 m–infinity or 2.5 m–infinity–
Zoom designInternal zooming maintains physical length (ePHOTOzine and The Digital Picture)Barrel extends when zoomed to 55 mm according to The Digital Picture
Weather resistanceSealed against dust and moisture; rubber gasket around the lens mount–
Dimensions detail86.2 mm maximum diameter × 197 mm length; lens dimensions exclude caps66.5 mm maximum diameter × 61.8 mm retracted length; dimensions and 215 g weight are lens only, excluding caps
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 storageEW-63C sold separately; exact manual and Canon Japan list LP1014 optional case, while the UK overview lists LP1016
In the boxLens hood, tripod collar and lens case (The Digital Picture); manual identifies ET-86 hood, E-77U cap and LZ1324 case–
Release detailMarketed in September 2001 according to Canon Camera MuseumCanon 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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