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Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L 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 85mm f/1.2L II USMCanonEF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2006April 2017
Optics
Lens typePrimeZoom
Focal length85 mm18–55 mm
Maximum aperturef/1.2f/4–5.6
Minimum aperturef/16f/22–32
Optical constructionEight elements in seven groups with a floating optical construction12 elements in ten groups
Special elementsGround aspherical lens according to Canon JapanAspherical lens element
CoatingsSuper Spectra coatings according to Canon UKSuper Spectra coatings
DiaphragmEight blades with a circular electromagnetic diaphragmSeven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view28°30′ diagonal, 24° horizontal and 16° verticalHorizontal 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 cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensorsCanon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras; 29–88 mm equivalent field of view
Teleconverter supportCanon EF1.4X II and EF2X II extenders cannot be used according to the manualCanon extenders cannot be used
Adaptor supportCanon UK confirms EOS M compatibility with the EF-EOS M Mount Adapter–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.95 m0.25 m
Maximum magnification0.11×0.25×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailUSM autofocus; Canon claims up to 1.8× the autofocus speed of the original EF 85mm f/1.2L USM using a faster CPU and revised algorithmsLead-screw STM; electronic manual adjustment after One-Shot autofocus while the shutter button remains half pressed, subject to camera settings
Focus distance detailElectronic manual focusing; full-time override after One-Shot AF while half-pressing the shutter, with camera and mode exceptions listed in the manual. The Digital Picture confirms camera power is required and the lens extends when focusingManual focusing is unavailable with the camera off or lens asleep; internal focusing with a non-rotating front element according to both reviews
Magnification detailCanon manual gives EF12 II tube magnification 0.15–0.25×, EF25 II 0.33–0.42× and 500D close-up lens 0.17–0.28×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 detailNo optical stabilisation according to ePHOTOzine's exact-model specificationFour-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 resistantNo–
Filter diameter72 mm58 mm
Maximum diameter91.5 mm66.5 mm
Length84 mm61.8 mm
Weight1,025 g215 g
Zoom design–Barrel extends when zoomed to 55 mm according to The Digital Picture
ControlsAF/MF switch, focusing ring, distance window, infrared index and depth-of-field scale–
Filter detailFront screw-in filter; one filter at a time according to Canon's manual–
Weather resistanceCanon Japan explicitly lists no dust or drip resistance–
Dimensions detail91.5 mm maximum diameter × 84 mm length; 1,025 g lens-only. Add 21.5 mm with E-72U and rear cap, or 24.2 mm with E-72 II and rear cap66.5 mm maximum diameter × 61.8 mm retracted length; dimensions and 215 g weight are lens only, excluding caps
Lens hoodSupplied ES-79 II clip-on hood; reversible for storage according to Canon's manualEW-63C sold separately; exact manual and Canon Japan list LP1014 optional case, while the UK overview lists LP1016
In the boxLens, E-72U front cap, Lens Dust Cap E, ES-79 II hood, LP1219 pouch and user manual according to Canon UK–
Release detailMarch 2006 sale month confirmed by Canon Camera Museum and Japan support. Canon explicitly identifies this model as the successor to the September 1989 EF 85mm f/1.2L USMCanon 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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