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Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8L 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 USMCanonEF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM
Overview
ReleasedMarch 1995April 2017
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length70–200 mm18–55 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/4–5.6
Minimum aperturef/32f/22–32
Optical construction18 elements in 15 groups12 elements in ten groups
Special elementsFour UD elementsAspherical lens element
CoatingsSuper Spectra coatingsSuper Spectra coatings
DiaphragmEight bladesSeven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of viewHorizontal 29°–10°; vertical 19°30′–7°; diagonal 34°–12°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 supportCanon Extender EF1.4X gives 98–280 mm f/4; EF2X gives 140–400 mm f/5.6, with autofocus supported according to CanonCanon extenders cannot be used
Adaptor supportCanon Extension Tube EF12 II gives 0.22–0.06× magnification; EF25 II gives 0.41–0.14×–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance1.5 m0.25 m
Maximum magnification0.16×0.25×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailRing-type USM with mechanical full-time manual focusingLead-screw STM; electronic manual adjustment after One-Shot autofocus while the shutter button remains half pressed, subject to camera settings
Focus distance detailInternal focusing; non-rotating front filter thread; minimum 1.5 m focus and maximum 0.16× 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 detailNo optical image stabilisation (ePHOTOzine and The Digital Picture)Four-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 diameter84.6 mm66.5 mm
Length193.6 mm61.8 mm
Weight1,310 g215 g
ControlsAF/MF switch, focus-range limiter, focus and zoom rings (The Digital Picture)–
Zoom designInternal zooming maintains the physical length throughout the zoom range (ePHOTOzine and The Digital Picture)Barrel extends when zoomed to 55 mm according to 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 sealing–
Dimensions detail84.6 mm maximum diameter × 193.6 mm length66.5 mm maximum diameter × 61.8 mm retracted length; dimensions and 215 g weight are lens only, excluding caps
Lens hood–EW-63C sold separately; exact manual and Canon Japan list LP1014 optional case, while the UK overview lists LP1016
Tripod mountIncluded tripod collar (ePHOTOzine and The Digital Picture)–
In the boxLens hood and case (Canon); lens caps and tripod collar (ePHOTOzine)–
Release detailMarketed in March 1995 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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