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Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM vs Canon EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 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 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2016November 2007
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length18–135 mm55–250 mm
Maximum aperturef/3.5–5.6f/4–5.6
Minimum aperturef/22–36f/22–32
Optical construction16 elements in 12 groups12 elements in 10 groups
Special elementsOne UD and one aspherical elementUD glass element
CoatingsSuper Spectra coatingsSuper Spectra coatings according to Canon's European announcement
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
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; 88–400 mm equivalent field of view
Teleconverter support–Canon extenders cannot be used according to The Digital Picture
Adaptor supportCanon UK supports EOS M cameras with an EF-EOS M mount adaptor–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.39 m1.1 m
Maximum magnification0.28×0.31×
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 viewfinderMicro Motor autofocus without full-time manual override according to The Digital Picture; focus ring rotates during autofocus
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)Minimum focus distance 1.1 m throughout the zoom range; front element rotates during focusing according to The Digital Picture
Magnification detailMaximum 0.28× at 135 mm–
Stabilisation detailFour-stop optical Image Stabilizer with automatic panning detectionFour-stop launch claim based on 1/(focal length × 1.6) shutter speed; automatic panning detection according to Canon's European announcement
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 mm70 mm
Length96 mm108 mm
Weight515 g390 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 during zooming and focusing 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 MuseumCanon gives 70 mm maximum diameter × 108 mm length
Lens hoodOptional EW-73D; optional LP1116 pouch (The Digital Picture)ET-60 hood sold separately according to The Digital Picture; LP1019 pouch also optional
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 Camera Museum records November 2007 introduction. The Japanese announcement originally scheduled late October 2007 availability; this was a planned date rather than the Museum's recorded introduction. The Digital Picture tested a Canadian retail sample in November 2007 and notes the later US announcement.

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