Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM vs Canon EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS STM

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EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM compared with EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS STM

	CanonEF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM	CanonEF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS STM
Overview
Released
Released	June 2012	September 2013
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	18–135 mm	55–250 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/3.5–5.6	f/4–5.6
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22–36	f/22–32
Optical construction
Optical construction	16 elements in 12 groups with a six-group zoom design	15 elements in 12 groups
Special elements
Special elements	One UD and one high-precision aspherical element	One UD element
Coatings
Coatings	–	Super Spectra coatings
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	Minimum f/22–36 with one-third-stop increments; Canon UK's table lists f/22–38 with f/36 qualified for one-third stops	–
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Seven blades with a circular aperture	Seven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view
Angle of view	Horizontal 64°30′–9°30′; vertical 45°30′–6°20′; diagonal 74°20′–11°30′	Horizontal 23°20′–5°20′; vertical 15°40′–3°30′; diagonal 27°50′–6°15′
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Canon EF-S	Canon EF-S
Image circle
Image circle	APS-C	APS-C
Compatibility
Compatibility	Canon EF-S mount APS-C cameras	Canon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras; 88–400 mm equivalent field of view
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	0.39 m	0.85 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.28×	0.29×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	STM; manual override after autofocus without changing focus mode	STM stepping motor with lead screw; electronic manual focus adjustment after One-Shot autofocus locks according to ePHOTOzine
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Electronic manual focus; adjustments in single autofocus mode after focus locks; non-rotating front filter thread (ePHOTOzine)	Minimum focus distance 0.85 m throughout the zoom range; maximum 0.29× magnification at 250 mm; non-rotating front element
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	Four-stop optical Image Stabilizer claim for still photographs	3.5-stop CIPA claim; automatic panning detection disables correction in the direction of movement
Video features
Video features	Dynamic IS for video; smooth Movie Servo AF on compatible cameras, including EOS 650D	–
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	–	No
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	67 mm	58 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	76.6 mm	70 mm
Length
Length	96 mm	111.2 mm
Weight
Weight	480 g	375 g (better)
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	–	No weather seals according to Digital Camera World
Controls
Controls	Focus and zoom rings; zoom lock lever	–
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	76.6 mm maximum diameter × 96 mm length in the retracted state	70 mm maximum diameter × 111.2 mm length in the retracted state
Lens hood
Lens hood	Optional EW-73B; LP1116 pouch available separately	ET-63; sold separately according to both reviews
Release detail
Release detail	Marketed in June 2012 according to Canon Camera Museum	Canon Japan gives first sale on 12 September 2013; Canon Camera Museum gives September. This day is the Japanese release, not a separately confirmed UK day.