Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM vs Canon EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM compared with EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II
CanonEF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USMCanonEF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2016March 2005
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length18–135 mm18–55 mm
Maximum aperturef/3.5–5.6f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperturef/22–36f/22–36
Optical construction16 elements in 12 groups11 elements in nine groups
Special elementsOne UD and one aspherical elementAspherical element shown in Canon Camera Museum's optical diagram
CoatingsSuper Spectra coatings–
Aperture detailMinimum f/22–36 with one-third-stop increments; f/22–38 with half-stop increments–
DiaphragmSeven blades with a circular apertureSix blades with a circular aperture according to Canon Camera Museum
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon EF-SCanon EF-S
Image circleAPS-CAPS-C
CompatibilityCanon EF-S mount APS-C camerasCanon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras
Adaptor supportCanon UK supports EOS M cameras with an EF-EOS M mount adaptor–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.39 m0.28 m
Maximum magnification0.28×0.28×
Optical stabilisationYesNo
Autofocus detailNano 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 viewfinderMicromotor autofocus; no full-time manual override according to The Digital Picture
Focus distance detailElectronic 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 detailMaximum 0.28× at 135 mmMaximum 0.28× at 55 mm according to The Digital Picture; Canon Camera Museum confirms 0.28× maximum magnification
Stabilisation detailFour-stop optical Image Stabilizer with automatic panning detectionNo optical stabilisation according to The Digital Picture
Video featuresOptional PZ-E1 power zoom adaptor attaches beneath the lens (The Digital Picture)–
Design
Dust and moisture resistantNo–
Filter diameter67 mm58 mm
Maximum diameter77.4 mm68.5 mm
Length96 mm66 mm
Weight515 g190 g (better)
ControlsFocus and zoom rings; AF/MF, stabiliser and zoom-lock switches (The Digital Picture)–
Zoom designExtends 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 resistanceNo full weather sealing or mount gasket (The Digital Picture)–
Dimensions detail77.4 mm maximum diameter × 96 mm length according to Canon Camera Museum68.5 mm maximum diameter × 66 mm length according to Canon Camera Museum
Lens hoodOptional EW-73D; optional LP1116 pouch (The Digital Picture)EW-60C hood and LP814 pouch sold separately according to The Digital Picture
In the boxLens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E and user manual–
Release detailMarketed in March 2016 according to Canon Camera MuseumCanon 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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