Canon EF-S 15–85mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM vs Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS

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EF-S 15–85mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM compared with EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS

	CanonEF-S 15–85mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM	CanonEF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS
Overview
Released
Released	October 2009	October 2009
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	15–85 mm	18–135 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/3.5–5.6	f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22–36	f/22–36
Optical construction
Optical construction	17 elements in 12 groups	16 elements in 12 groups
Special elements
Special elements	Three aspherical elements and one UD element according to Canon Japan	UD and glass-moulded aspherical elements
Coatings
Coatings	Canon describes optimised coatings and element positioning to reduce ghosting and flare	–
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Seven blades with a circular aperture	Six blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view
Angle of view	Horizontal 74°10′–15°25′, vertical 53°30′–10°25′, diagonal 84°30′–18°25′	–
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Canon EF-S	Canon EF-S
Image circle
Image circle	APS-C	APS-C
Compatibility
Compatibility	Canon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras; equivalent angle of view to 24–136 mm on full frame	Canon EF-S mount APS-C cameras
Image circle detail
Image circle detail	–	Canon quotes a full-frame angle-of-view equivalent of 29–216 mm
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.35 m	0.45 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.21×	0.21×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Ring-type USM with full-time manual focus in One-Shot AF according to Photozone and The Digital Picture	DC micromotor; no full-time manual focus; switch to MF before turning the focus ring (Bob Atkins)
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Internal focusing and non-rotating front element according to Photozone and The Digital Picture	Internal focusing; front filter thread does not rotate during focusing or zooming (Bob Atkins and ePHOTOzine)
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	Canon states approximately four shutter-speed stops of optical correction; The Digital Picture's tested example achieved four stops at 85 mm and 4⅓ at 15 mm	Approximately four-stop optical Image Stabilizer claim
Design
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	72 mm	67 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	81.6 mm	75.4 mm
Length
Length	87.5 mm	101 mm
Weight
Weight	575 g	455 g (better)
Controls
Controls	AF/MF and stabiliser switches; rear manual-focus ring and distance window	–
Zoom design
Zoom design	Extends towards the telephoto end using two inner barrel sections according to Photozone	Barrel extends when zoomed towards 135 mm (Bob Atkins)
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	81.6 mm maximum diameter × 87.5 mm length according to Canon	75.4 mm maximum diameter × 101 mm length
Lens hood
Lens hood	Optional EW-78E hood; LP1116 pouch and E-72U cap listed by Canon Japan	Optional EW-73B; hood and case not supplied (Bob Atkins)
In the box
In the box	–	Lens caps and instructions (ePHOTOzine)
Release detail
Release detail	Canon Camera Museum and Canon Japan's exact-model support sheet both record October 2009 release. No separately established UK first-sale day is given by these sources.	Marketed in October 2009 according to Canon Camera Museum