Canon EF-S 17–55mm f/2.8 IS USM vs Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonEF-S 17–55mm f/2.8 IS USM | CanonEF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | May 2006 | March 2016 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Zoom |
| Focal length | 17–55 mm | 18–135 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/3.5–5.6 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22–36 |
| Optical construction | 19 elements in 12 groups | 16 elements in 12 groups |
| Special elements | Three aspherical elements, including one glass-moulded and two replica elements; two UD elements according to Canon Japan | One UD and one aspherical element |
| Coatings | Super Spectra coatings according to Canon UK | Super Spectra coatings |
| Aperture detail | – | Minimum f/22–36 with one-third-stop increments; f/22–38 with half-stop increments |
| Diaphragm | Seven blades with a circular aperture according to Canon Camera Museum | Seven blades with a circular aperture |
| Angle of view | Horizontal 68°40′–23°20′, vertical 48°–15°40′, diagonal 78°30′–27°50′ | – |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Canon EF-S | Canon EF-S |
| Image circle | APS-C | APS-C |
| Compatibility | Canon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras; equivalent angle of view to 27–88 mm on full frame | Canon EF-S mount APS-C cameras |
| Teleconverter support | Canon extenders are not compatible | – |
| Adaptor support | Canon UK confirms EOS M compatibility using the EF-EOS M adapter | Canon UK supports EOS M cameras with an EF-EOS M mount adaptor |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.35 m | 0.39 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.17× | 0.28× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | USM autofocus with full-time manual override; distance information is transmitted for E-TTL II flash metering according to Canon UK | Nano 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 detail | Internal focusing keeps lens length constant during focusing; front element does not rotate according to Photozone | Electronic 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 0.17× at 55 mm according to Canon Japan; EF12 II extension tube and 500D close-up lens supported, 250D close-up lens not supported | Maximum 0.28× at 135 mm |
| Stabilisation detail | Canon states three shutter-speed stops of optical correction; Canon Japan lists no coordinated correction with camera IBIS | Four-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 resistant | No | No |
| Filter diameter | 77 mm | 67 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 83.5 mm | 77.4 mm |
| Length | 110.6 mm | 96 mm |
| Weight | 645 g | 515 g (better) |
| Controls | AF/MF and stabiliser switches; distance window and rear focus ring | Focus and zoom rings; AF/MF, stabiliser and zoom-lock switches (The Digital Picture) |
| Zoom design | Extends towards the telephoto end according to Photozone and ePHOTOzine | Extends towards longer focal lengths; zoom lock retains the retracted position (The Digital Picture) |
| Weather resistance | Canon Japan lists no dust or drip resistance | No full weather sealing or mount gasket (The Digital Picture) |
| Dimensions detail | 83.5 mm maximum diameter × 110.6 mm length according to Canon | 77.4 mm maximum diameter × 96 mm length according to Canon Camera Museum |
| Lens hood | EW-83J hood and LP1219 pouch are optional accessories; Canon UK's box list includes neither. Canon Camera Museum's price table says case and built-in hood, conflicting with the UK package and separately listed removable EW-83J hood | Optional EW-73D; optional LP1116 pouch (The Digital Picture) |
| In the box | Lens, E77II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E and user manual according to Canon UK | Lens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E and user manual |
| Release detail | Canon Camera Museum records May 2006 marketing. Canon Japan records announcement on 22 February and Japanese first sale on 31 May 2006; a separately established UK first-sale day is not published in these sources. | Marketed in March 2016 according to Canon Camera Museum |
More comparisons
- Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM vs Canon RF-S 18–150mm F3.5–6.3 IS STM
- Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM vs Canon RF-S 18–45mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM
- Canon EF-S 17–55mm f/2.8 IS USM vs Canon RF-S 18–45mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM
- Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM vs Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM
- Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM vs Canon EF-S 17–55mm f/2.8 IS USM
- Canon EF 70–200mm f/4L IS II USM vs Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM
- Canon EF 70–200mm f/4L IS II USM vs Canon EF-S 17–55mm f/2.8 IS USM
- Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM vs Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM
- Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM vs Canon EF-S 17–55mm f/2.8 IS USM
- Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM vs Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM
- Canon EF-S 17–55mm f/2.8 IS USM vs Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM
- Canon EF-S 17–55mm f/2.8 IS USM vs Canon EF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM
- Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM vs Canon EF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM
- Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM vs Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM
- Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM vs Canon EF-S 17–55mm f/2.8 IS USM
- Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM vs Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM

