Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM vs Canon EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 USM
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 USM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | March 2016 | September 2003 |
| 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 | One precision aspherical element; Canon Japan identifies a PMo aspherical surface |
| 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 |
| Angle of view | – | Horizontal 64°30′–23°20′, vertical 45°30′–15°40′, diagonal 74°20′–27°50′ according to Canon Japan |
| 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; equivalent angle of view to approximately 29–88 mm on full frame |
| 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 | – |
| 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 | Canon Micro USM II ultrasonic motor; lens distance information is transmitted according to Canon Japan |
| 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) | – |
| Magnification detail | Maximum 0.28× at 135 mm | Maximum 0.28× at 55 mm; EF12 II extension tube provides 0.23–0.81× and EF25 II provides 0.51–0.92× according to Canon Japan |
| Stabilisation detail | Four-stop optical Image Stabilizer with automatic panning detection | – |
| 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) | – |
| 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; 190 g according to Canon |
| Lens hood | Optional EW-73D; optional LP1116 pouch (The Digital Picture) | EW-60C hood and LP814 pouch are sold separately according to Canon Japan |
| 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 explicitly records this USM model as sold only with the EOS Kiss Digital in September 2003. Its table records September 2004 marketing, later than that documented first kit sale |
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