Request a product

Canon EF 70–200mm f/4L IS II 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/4L IS II USMCanonEF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM
Overview
ReleasedJune 2018March 2016
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length70–200 mm18–135 mm
Maximum aperturef/4f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperturef/32f/22–36
Optical construction20 elements in 15 groups16 elements in 12 groups
Special elementsOne fluorite and two UD elementsOne UD and one aspherical element
CoatingsSuper Spectra coatings; fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements according to Canon's US launch announcementSuper Spectra coatings
Aperture detail–Minimum f/22–36 with one-third-stop increments; f/22–38 with half-stop increments
DiaphragmNine blades with a circular apertureSeven blades with a circular aperture
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
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance1 m0.39 m
Maximum magnification0.27×0.28×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailRing-type USM with full-time manual focus overrideNano 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 detailMaximum 0.27× magnification at 200 mm; internal focusing according to Digital Camera WorldElectronic 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 detailFive-stop CIPA claim at 200 mm on an EOS-1D X Mark II; three modes including exposure-only stabilisation for tracking moving subjectsFour-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 diameter72 mm67 mm
Maximum diameter80 mm77.4 mm
Length176 mm96 mm
Weight780 g515 g
ControlsAF/MF, IS on/off and three IS mode switches; focus limiter excludes distances below 3 m according to Digital Camera WorldFocus and zoom rings; AF/MF, stabiliser and zoom-lock switches (The Digital Picture)
Zoom designInternal zooming maintains physical length according to Digital Camera WorldExtends towards longer focal lengths; zoom lock retains the retracted position (The Digital Picture)
Weather resistanceDust- and moisture-resistant constructionNo full weather sealing or mount gasket (The Digital Picture)
Dimensions detail80 mm maximum diameter × 176 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)
Weight detailApproximate 780 g maker figure; Digital Camera World specifies this excludes the optional tripod mount–
Tripod mountOptional A II (W II) tripod mounting ring according to Digital Camera World; the maker photograph shows this separately sold accessory–
In the boxLens, pouch, caps, hood and instruction manual according to Canon UKLens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E and user manual
Release detailCanon 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 March 2016 according to Canon Camera Museum

More comparisons