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Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8L 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 USMCanonEF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM
Overview
ReleasedMarch 1995March 2016
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length70–200 mm18–135 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperturef/32f/22–36
Optical construction18 elements in 15 groups16 elements in 12 groups
Special elementsFour UD elementsOne UD and one aspherical element
CoatingsSuper Spectra coatingsSuper Spectra coatings
Aperture detail–Minimum f/22–36 with one-third-stop increments; f/22–38 with half-stop increments
DiaphragmEight bladesSeven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of viewHorizontal 29°–10°; vertical 19°30′–7°; diagonal 34°–12°–
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
Teleconverter supportCanon Extender EF1.4X gives 98–280 mm f/4; EF2X gives 140–400 mm f/5.6, with autofocus supported according to Canon–
Adaptor supportCanon Extension Tube EF12 II gives 0.22–0.06× magnification; EF25 II gives 0.41–0.14×Canon UK supports EOS M cameras with an EF-EOS M mount adaptor
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance1.5 m0.39 m
Maximum magnification0.16×0.28×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailRing-type USM with mechanical full-time manual focusingNano 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; non-rotating front filter thread; minimum 1.5 m focus and maximum 0.16× 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 detailNo optical image stabilisation (ePHOTOzine and The Digital Picture)Four-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 diameter84.6 mm77.4 mm
Length193.6 mm96 mm
Weight1,310 g515 g
ControlsAF/MF switch, focus-range limiter, focus and zoom rings (The Digital Picture)Focus and zoom rings; AF/MF, stabiliser and zoom-lock switches (The Digital Picture)
Zoom designInternal zooming maintains the physical length throughout the zoom range (ePHOTOzine and The Digital Picture)Extends towards longer focal lengths; zoom lock retains the retracted position (The Digital Picture)
Weather resistanceCanon states water and dust resistance; The Digital Picture describes partial sealing around switches and rings, with no lens-mount gasket and a front filter needed for sealingNo full weather sealing or mount gasket (The Digital Picture)
Dimensions detail84.6 mm maximum diameter × 193.6 mm length77.4 mm maximum diameter × 96 mm length according to Canon Camera Museum
Lens hood–Optional EW-73D; optional LP1116 pouch (The Digital Picture)
Tripod mountIncluded tripod collar (ePHOTOzine and The Digital Picture)–
In the boxLens hood and case (Canon); lens caps and tripod collar (ePHOTOzine)Lens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E and user manual
Release detailMarketed in March 1995 according to Canon Camera MuseumMarketed in March 2016 according to Canon Camera Museum

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