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Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM vs Canon EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS II

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

CanonEF 85mm f/1.4L IS USMCanonEF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS II
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2017March 2011
Optics
Lens typePrimeZoom
Focal length85 mm18–55 mm
Maximum aperturef/1.4f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperturef/22f/22–36
Optical constructionFourteen elements in ten groups11 elements in nine groups; retains the optical design of the original EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS
Special elementsHigh-precision glass-moulded aspherical lens according to CanonOne high-precision aspherical element
Aperture detail–Minimum f/22–36 with third-stop settings in Canon's EOS 1100D manual; the UK specification also lists f/38 at the long end with different aperture increments
CoatingsAir Sphere Coating (ASC) according to Canon–
DiaphragmNine blades with a circular apertureSix blades with a circular aperture according to Canon Camera Museum
Angle of view28°30′ diagonal, 24° horizontal and 16° verticalHorizontal 64°30′–23°20′; vertical 45°30′–15°40′; diagonal 74°20′–27°50′
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
Teleconverter supportNot compatible with Canon extenders according to Canon UK's specification sheet–
Adaptor supportCanon UK confirms EOS M compatibility using the EF-EOS M Mount Adapter–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.85 m0.25 m
Maximum magnification0.12×0.34×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailRing USM with full-time manual override according to Canon UKMicromotor autofocus; no full-time manual override according to The Digital Picture and Focus Review
Focus distance detailInternal focusing according to ePHOTOzineFront element rotates and extends during focusing; select MF before turning the narrow manual focus ring according to The Digital Picture and Ken Rockwell
Magnification detailCanon UK specifies 0.15–0.26× with EF12 II and 0.33–0.43× with EF25 II extension tubesMaximum 0.34× at 55 mm; EF12 II gives 0.64–0.23× and EF25 II gives 1.00–0.51× according to Canon UK, with wide-angle incompatibility
Stabilisation detailFour-stop optical stabilisation, tested at 85 mm with EOS-1D X Mark II to CIPA standards according to CanonFour-stop launch claim based on a shutter speed of 1/(focal length × 1.6) seconds according to Canon Camera Museum; lens-shift stabilisation
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYes–
Filter diameter77 mm58 mm
Maximum diameter88.6 mm68.5 mm
Length105.4 mm70 mm
Weight950 g200 g
ControlsAF/MF and stabiliser on/off switches, manual focus ring, distance window and depth-of-field markings–
Weather resistanceDust and moisture resistance according to Canon UK–
Dimensions detail88.6 mm maximum diameter × 105.4 mm length; approximately 950 g according to Canon68.5 mm maximum diameter × 70 mm retracted length
Lens hoodSupplied ET-83E hood according to Canon UKEW-60C hood and LP814 case sold separately according to Canon's EOS 1100D manual
In the boxLens, ET-83E hood, E-77II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E, LP1219 pouch and user manual according to Canon UK–
Release detailCanon Camera Museum records November 2017 marketing; a first-sale day is not givenCanon Camera Museum records March 2011 introduction. This is retail-month precision; no separately confirmed UK first-sale day is published in these sources.

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