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Canon EF 70–200mm f/4L IS 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 USMCanonEF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2006March 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 coatingsSuper Spectra coatings
Aperture detail–Minimum f/22–36 with one-third-stop increments; f/22–38 with half-stop increments
DiaphragmEight blades with a circular apertureSeven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of viewDiagonal 34°–12°; vertical 19°30′–7°; horizontal 29°–10°–
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
Teleconverter supportEF1.4X II gives 98–280 mm f/5.6 and 0.31× maximum magnification with autofocus; EF2X II gives 140–400 mm f/8 and 0.45×, with autofocus limited to compatible bodies and slower operation–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance1.2 m0.39 m
Maximum magnification0.21×0.28×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailRing-type USM; full-time manual override after One-Shot autofocus while holding the shutter button halfwayNano 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 detailInternal focusing with a non-rotating front; maximum 0.21× magnification at 200 mmElectronic 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 detailFour-stop launch claim based on a shutter speed of 1/focal length; Mode 1 for still subjects and Mode 2 for panning; manual recommends switching off on a tripod to save battery powerFour-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 diameter67 mm67 mm
Maximum diameter76 mm77.4 mm
Length172 mm96 mm
Weight760 g515 g
ControlsAF/MF, IS on/off and IS mode switches; focus limiter selects 1.2 m–infinity or 3 m–infinityFocus and zoom rings; AF/MF, stabiliser and zoom-lock switches (The Digital Picture)
Zoom designInternal zooming maintains physical lengthExtends towards longer focal lengths; zoom lock retains the retracted position (The Digital Picture)
Weather resistanceDust- and moisture-resistant construction with a rubber gasket at the mountNo full weather sealing or mount gasket (The Digital Picture)
Dimensions detail76 mm maximum diameter × 172 mm length, measured from the mount to the lens front without caps77.4 mm maximum diameter × 96 mm length according to Canon Camera Museum
Weight detail760 g lens only according to Canon's instruction manual–
Tripod mountOptional A II (W) tripod mount ring; collar can be removed while the lens remains attached to the camera–
Lens hoodET-74, reversible for storageOptional EW-73D; optional LP1116 pouch (The Digital Picture)
In the boxLens hood and pouch according to Canon's launch announcement; ET-74 and LP1224 models identified in the instruction manualLens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E and user manual
Release detailMarketed in November 2006 according to Canon Camera Museum; the stabilised model was sold alongside the non-stabilised f/4 versionMarketed in March 2016 according to Canon Camera Museum

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