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Canon EF 70–200mm f/4L IS II 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/4L IS II USMCanonEF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM
Overview
ReleasedJune 2018April 2017
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length70–200 mm18–55 mm
Maximum aperturef/4f/4–5.6
Minimum aperturef/32f/22–32
Optical construction20 elements in 15 groups12 elements in ten groups
Special elementsOne fluorite and two UD elementsAspherical lens element
CoatingsSuper Spectra coatings; fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements according to Canon's US launch announcementSuper Spectra coatings
DiaphragmNine blades with a circular apertureSeven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view–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 support–Canon extenders cannot be used
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance1 m0.25 m
Maximum magnification0.27×0.25×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailRing-type USM with full-time manual focus overrideLead-screw STM; electronic manual adjustment after One-Shot autofocus while the shutter button remains half pressed, subject to camera settings
Focus distance detailMaximum 0.27× magnification at 200 mm; internal focusing according to Digital Camera WorldManual 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 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 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 diameter72 mm58 mm
Maximum diameter80 mm66.5 mm
Length176 mm61.8 mm
Weight780 g215 g
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 WorldBarrel extends when zoomed to 55 mm according to The Digital Picture
Weather resistanceDust- and moisture-resistant construction–
Dimensions detail80 mm maximum diameter × 176 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
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 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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