Canon EF 70–200mm f/4L IS II USM vs Canon EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 III

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

EF 70–200mm f/4L IS II USM compared with EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 III
CanonEF 70–200mm f/4L IS II USMCanonEF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 III
Overview
ReleasedJune 2018March 2011
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length70–200 mm18–55 mm
Maximum aperturef/4f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperturef/32f/22–38
Optical construction20 elements in 15 groups11 elements in nine groups
Special elementsOne fluorite and two UD elementsHigh-precision aspherical element
CoatingsSuper Spectra coatings; fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements according to Canon's US launch announcement–
DiaphragmNine blades with a circular apertureSix 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 compatible APS-C cameras
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance1 m0.25 m
Maximum magnification0.27×0.34×
Optical stabilisationYesNo
Autofocus detailRing-type USM with full-time manual focus overrideAutofocus and manual focus selected with the lens switch according to Focus Review
Focus distance detailMaximum 0.27× magnification at 200 mm; internal focusing according to Digital Camera WorldManual focusing uses the ribbed front tube; plastic barrel and mount according to Focus Review
Stabilisation detailFive-stop CIPA claim at 200 mm on an EOS-1D X Mark II; three modes including exposure-only stabilisation for tracking moving subjectsNo image stabiliser according to Focus Review's exact-model test
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYes–
Filter diameter72 mm58 mm
Maximum diameter80 mm68.5 mm
Length176 mm70 mm
Weight780 g190 g (better)
ControlsAF/MF, IS on/off and three IS mode switches; focus limiter excludes distances below 3 m according to Digital Camera World–
Zoom designInternal zooming maintains physical length according to Digital Camera World–
Weather resistanceDust- and moisture-resistant construction–
Dimensions detail80 mm maximum diameter × 176 mm length68.5 mm maximum diameter × 70 mm length
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 UK–
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.Canon Camera Museum records March 2011 marketing and explicitly identifies this model as the successor to the EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II. No separately verified UK first-sale day is published in these sources.

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