Canon EF 70–200mm f/4L IS II USM vs Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonEF 70–200mm f/4L IS II USM | CanonEF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | June 2018 | June 2012 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Zoom |
| Focal length | 70–200 mm | 18–135 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 | f/3.5–5.6 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 | f/22–36 |
| Optical construction | 20 elements in 15 groups | 16 elements in 12 groups with a six-group zoom design |
| Special elements | One fluorite and two UD elements | One UD and one high-precision aspherical element |
| Aperture detail | – | Minimum f/22–36 with one-third-stop increments; Canon UK's table lists f/22–38 with f/36 qualified for one-third stops |
| Coatings | Super Spectra coatings; fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements according to Canon's US launch announcement | – |
| Diaphragm | Nine blades with a circular aperture | Seven blades with a circular aperture |
| Angle of view | – | Horizontal 64°30′–9°30′; vertical 45°30′–6°20′; diagonal 74°20′–11°30′ |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Canon EF | Canon EF-S |
| Image circle | Full frame | APS-C |
| Compatibility | Canon EF mount full-frame and APS-C cameras | Canon EF-S mount APS-C cameras |
| Image circle detail | – | Canon quotes a full-frame angle-of-view equivalent of 29–216 mm |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 1 m | 0.39 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.27× | 0.28× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | Ring-type USM with full-time manual focus override | STM; manual override after autofocus without changing focus mode |
| Focus distance detail | Maximum 0.27× magnification at 200 mm; internal focusing according to Digital Camera World | Electronic manual focus; adjustments in single autofocus mode after focus locks; non-rotating front filter thread (ePHOTOzine) |
| Stabilisation detail | Five-stop CIPA claim at 200 mm on an EOS-1D X Mark II; three modes including exposure-only stabilisation for tracking moving subjects | Four-stop optical Image Stabilizer claim for still photographs |
| Video features | – | Dynamic IS for video; smooth Movie Servo AF on compatible cameras, including EOS 650D |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | – |
| Filter diameter | 72 mm | 67 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 80 mm | 76.6 mm |
| Length | 176 mm | 96 mm |
| Weight | 780 g | 480 g (better) |
| Controls | AF/MF, IS on/off and three IS mode switches; focus limiter excludes distances below 3 m according to Digital Camera World | Focus and zoom rings; zoom lock lever |
| Zoom design | Internal zooming maintains physical length according to Digital Camera World | – |
| Weather resistance | Dust- and moisture-resistant construction | – |
| Dimensions detail | 80 mm maximum diameter × 176 mm length | 76.6 mm maximum diameter × 96 mm length in the retracted state |
| Lens hood | – | Optional EW-73B; LP1116 pouch available separately |
| Weight detail | Approximate 780 g maker figure; Digital Camera World specifies this excludes the optional tripod mount | – |
| Tripod mount | Optional A II (W II) tripod mounting ring according to Digital Camera World; the maker photograph shows this separately sold accessory | – |
| In the box | Lens, pouch, caps, hood and instruction manual according to Canon UK | – |
| Release detail | Canon Japan announced first sale on 28 June 2018; Canon Camera Museum gives June 2018 and the US launch announcement states late June. The day is the Japanese sale date, not a separately confirmed UK date. | Marketed in June 2012 according to Canon Camera Museum |
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