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

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

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM compared with EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 III

	CanonEF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM	CanonEF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 III
Overview
Released
Released	March 2016	March 2011
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	18–135 mm	18–55 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/3.5–5.6	f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22–36	f/22–38
Optical construction
Optical construction	16 elements in 12 groups	11 elements in nine groups
Special elements
Special elements	One UD and one aspherical element	High-precision aspherical element
Coatings
Coatings	Super Spectra coatings	–
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	Minimum f/22–36 with one-third-stop increments; f/22–38 with half-stop increments	–
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Seven blades with a circular aperture	Six blades with a circular aperture
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
Adaptor support
Adaptor support	Canon UK supports EOS M cameras with an EF-EOS M mount adaptor	–
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.39 m	0.25 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.28×	0.34×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	No
Autofocus detail
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	Autofocus and manual focus selected with the lens switch according to Focus Review
Focus distance detail
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)	Manual focusing uses the ribbed front tube; plastic barrel and mount according to Focus Review
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Maximum 0.28× at 135 mm	–
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	Four-stop optical Image Stabilizer with automatic panning detection	No image stabiliser according to Focus Review's exact-model test
Video features
Video features	Optional PZ-E1 power zoom adaptor attaches beneath the lens (The Digital Picture)	–
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	No	–
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	67 mm	58 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	77.4 mm	68.5 mm
Length
Length	96 mm	70 mm
Weight
Weight	515 g	190 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Focus and zoom rings; AF/MF, stabiliser and zoom-lock switches (The Digital Picture)	–
Zoom design
Zoom design	Extends towards longer focal lengths; zoom lock retains the retracted position (The Digital Picture)	–
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	No full weather sealing or mount gasket (The Digital Picture)	–
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	77.4 mm maximum diameter × 96 mm length according to Canon Camera Museum	68.5 mm maximum diameter × 70 mm length
Lens hood
Lens hood	Optional EW-73D; optional LP1116 pouch (The Digital Picture)	–
In the box
In the box	Lens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E and user manual	–
Release detail
Release detail	Marketed in March 2016 according to Canon Camera Museum	Canon Camera Museum records March 2011 marketing and explicitly identifies this model as the successor to the EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II. No separately verified UK first-sale day is published in these sources.