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Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM vs Canon EF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 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/4–5.6 IS STM
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2016April 2017
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length18–135 mm18–55 mm
Maximum aperturef/3.5–5.6f/4–5.6
Minimum aperturef/22–36f/22–32
Optical construction16 elements in 12 groups12 elements in ten groups
Special elementsOne UD and one aspherical elementAspherical lens element
CoatingsSuper Spectra 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 apertureSeven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view–Horizontal 64°30′–23°20′; vertical 45°30′–15°40′; diagonal 74°20′–27°50′ according to the exact Canon manual
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
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 magnification0.28×0.25×
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; electronic manual adjustment after One-Shot autofocus while the shutter button remains half pressed, subject to camera settings
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)Manual focusing is unavailable with the camera off or lens asleep; internal focusing with a non-rotating front element according to both reviews
Magnification detailMaximum 0.28× at 135 mmMaximum 0.25× at 55 mm; EF12 II gives 0.82–0.66× at 18 mm and 0.55–0.23× at 55 mm; EF25 II is incompatible at 18 mm and gives 0.91–0.51× at 55 mm
Stabilisation detailFour-stop optical Image Stabilizer with automatic panning detectionFour-stop CIPA claim at 55 mm using an EOS 7D Mark II; 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 mm66.5 mm
Length96 mm61.8 mm
Weight515 g215 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)Barrel extends when zoomed to 55 mm 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 Museum66.5 mm maximum diameter × 61.8 mm retracted length; dimensions and 215 g weight are lens only, excluding caps
Lens hoodOptional EW-73D; optional LP1116 pouch (The Digital Picture)EW-63C sold separately; exact manual and Canon Japan list LP1014 optional case, while the UK overview lists LP1016
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's exact support specification gives first sale on 7 April 2017; Camera Museum gives April. The day is the Japanese release, not a separately confirmed UK day.

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