Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM vs Canon EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonEF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM | CanonEF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | March 2016 | March 2005 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Zoom |
| Focal length | 18–135 mm | 18–55 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.5–5.6 | f/3.5–5.6 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22–36 | f/22–36 |
| Optical construction | 16 elements in 12 groups | 11 elements in nine groups |
| Special elements | One UD and one aspherical element | Aspherical element shown in Canon Camera Museum's optical diagram |
| Coatings | 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 | Six blades with a circular aperture according to Canon Camera Museum |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Canon EF-S | Canon EF-S |
| Image circle | APS-C | APS-C |
| Compatibility | Canon EF-S mount APS-C cameras | Canon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras |
| Adaptor support | Canon UK supports EOS M cameras with an EF-EOS M mount adaptor | – |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.39 m | 0.28 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.28× | 0.28× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | No |
| Autofocus detail | 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 | Micromotor autofocus; no full-time manual override according to The Digital Picture |
| Focus distance detail | 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) | Front element rotates during focusing; narrow manual focus grip on the extending front barrel according to Photozone and The Digital Picture |
| Magnification detail | Maximum 0.28× at 135 mm | Maximum 0.28× at 55 mm according to The Digital Picture; Canon Camera Museum confirms 0.28× maximum magnification |
| Stabilisation detail | Four-stop optical Image Stabilizer with automatic panning detection | No optical stabilisation according to The Digital Picture |
| Video features | Optional PZ-E1 power zoom adaptor attaches beneath the lens (The Digital Picture) | – |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | No | – |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | 58 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 77.4 mm | 68.5 mm |
| Length | 96 mm | 66 mm |
| Weight | 515 g | 190 g (better) |
| Controls | Focus and zoom rings; AF/MF, stabiliser and zoom-lock switches (The Digital Picture) | – |
| Zoom design | Extends towards longer focal lengths; zoom lock retains the retracted position (The Digital Picture) | Shortest around 35 mm; extends towards both ends of the zoom range according to Photozone and The Digital Picture |
| Weather resistance | No full weather sealing or mount gasket (The Digital Picture) | – |
| Dimensions detail | 77.4 mm maximum diameter × 96 mm length according to Canon Camera Museum | 68.5 mm maximum diameter × 66 mm length according to Canon Camera Museum |
| Lens hood | Optional EW-73D; optional LP1116 pouch (The Digital Picture) | EW-60C hood and LP814 pouch sold separately according to The Digital Picture |
| In the box | Lens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E and user manual | – |
| Release detail | Marketed in March 2016 according to Canon Camera Museum | Canon Camera Museum records March 2005 marketing with the EOS 350D. No separately verified UK first-sale day is published in these sources. |
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