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

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

CanonEF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USMCanonEF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2016September 2007
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 elementPrecision aspherical element
CoatingsSuper Spectra coatings–
Aperture detailMinimum f/22–36 with one-third-stop increments; f/22–38 with half-stop incrementsCanon Camera Museum lists minimum f/22–36; Canon Japan support lists f/22–38
DiaphragmSeven blades with a circular apertureSix blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view–Horizontal 64°30′–23°20′; vertical 45°30′–15°40′; diagonal 74°20′–27°50′
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 m0.25 m
Maximum magnification0.28×0.34×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
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 viewfinderGeared DC motor according to Canon Japan; 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 and extends during focusing; select MF before using the narrow manual focus ring according to The Digital Picture and Photozone
Magnification detailMaximum 0.28× at 135 mmMaximum 0.34× at 55 mm; EF12 II gives 0.64–0.23× and EF25 II gives 1.00–0.51× according to Canon Japan
Stabilisation detailFour-stop optical Image Stabilizer with automatic panning detectionFour-stop launch claim based on a shutter speed of 1/(focal length × 1.6) seconds; automatic panning detection according to Canon Japan. Photozone and The Digital Picture report approximately three stops in their tests.
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 mm70 mm
Weight515 g200 g
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)–
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 × 70 mm length
Lens hoodOptional EW-73D; optional LP1116 pouch (The Digital Picture)EW-60C hood and LP814 case sold separately according to Canon Japan
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 Japan records September 2007 first sale after the August announcement; Canon Camera Museum also records September 2007 marketing. No separately verified UK first-sale day is published in these sources.

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