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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 STM

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 STM
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2016April 2013
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 groups13 elements in 11 groups
Special elementsOne UD and one aspherical elementOne high-precision aspherical element
CoatingsSuper Spectra coatings–
Aperture detailMinimum f/22–36 with one-third-stop increments; f/22–38 with half-stop incrementsMinimum f/22–36 with third-stop increments; f/22–38 with half-stop increments according to Canon's manual
DiaphragmSeven blades with a circular apertureSeven 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; 29–88 mm equivalent field of view; EOS M use requires Mount Adapter EF-EOS M
Teleconverter support–Canon extenders cannot be used
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 magnification0.28×0.36×
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 viewfinderLead-screw STM supports Movie Servo AF on compatible cameras; manual adjustment after One-Shot autofocus requires keeping the shutter button half pressed
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)Electronic manual focusing is unavailable with the camera off or lens asleep; internal focusing with a non-rotating filter thread according to both reviews
Magnification detailMaximum 0.28× at 135 mmMaximum 0.36× at 55 mm; EF12 II gives 0.65–0.23× and EF25 II gives 1.00–0.51× at 55 mm; both are incompatible at 18 mm
Stabilisation detailFour-stop optical Image Stabilizer with automatic panning detectionCanon's manual and Japanese support specify 3.5 stops under CIPA testing at 55 mm using an EOS 7D; the UK specification lists four stops. Automatic panning compensation; Canon recommends switching IS off on a tripod to conserve power.
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 mm69 mm
Length96 mm75.2 mm
Weight515 g205 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)Most compact around 30 mm, extending modestly towards both ends according to 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 Museum69 mm maximum diameter × 75.2 mm retracted length; dimensions and 205 g weight are lens only, excluding caps
Lens hoodOptional EW-73D; optional LP1116 pouch (The Digital Picture)EW-63C hood and LP1016 pouch sold separately
In the boxLens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E and user manualE-58II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E, instructions and warranty card according to Canon Japan
Release detailMarketed in March 2016 according to Canon Camera MuseumCanon Japan's support specification gives first sale on 12 April 2013, earlier than the announcement's promised late April; Camera Museum records April. The day is the Japanese release, not a separately confirmed UK day.

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