Canon EF 70–200mm f/4L IS II USM vs Canon EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 USM
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonEF 70–200mm f/4L IS II USM | CanonEF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 USM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | June 2018 | September 2003 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Zoom |
| Focal length | 70–200 mm | 18–55 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 | f/3.5–5.6 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 | f/22–36 |
| Optical construction | 20 elements in 15 groups | 11 elements in nine groups |
| Special elements | One fluorite and two UD elements | One precision aspherical element; Canon Japan identifies a PMo aspherical surface |
| 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 | Six blades with a circular aperture according to Canon Camera Museum |
| Angle of view | – | Horizontal 64°30′–23°20′, vertical 45°30′–15°40′, diagonal 74°20′–27°50′ according to Canon Japan |
| 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 compatible APS-C cameras; equivalent angle of view to approximately 29–88 mm on full frame |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 1 m | 0.28 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.27× | 0.28× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | – |
| Autofocus detail | Ring-type USM with full-time manual focus override | Canon Micro USM II ultrasonic motor; lens distance information is transmitted according to Canon Japan |
| Magnification detail | – | Maximum 0.28× at 55 mm; EF12 II extension tube provides 0.23–0.81× and EF25 II provides 0.51–0.92× according to Canon Japan |
| Focus distance detail | Maximum 0.27× magnification at 200 mm; internal focusing according to Digital Camera World | – |
| 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 | – |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | – |
| Filter diameter | 72 mm | 58 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 80 mm | 68.5 mm |
| Length | 176 mm | 66 mm |
| Weight | 780 g | 190 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 | – |
| 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 | 68.5 mm maximum diameter × 66 mm length; 190 g according to Canon |
| Lens hood | – | EW-60C hood and LP814 pouch are sold separately according to Canon Japan |
| 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. | Canon Camera Museum explicitly records this USM model as sold only with the EOS Kiss Digital in September 2003. Its table records September 2004 marketing, later than that documented first kit sale |
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