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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 II

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 II
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2016July 2011
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 UK launch 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
Angle of view–Horizontal 23°20′–5°20′; vertical 15°40′–3°30′; diagonal 27°50′–6°15′
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–EF1.4X III and EF2X III cannot be used according to the instruction manual
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 viewfinderMove the AF/MF switch to MF before manually turning the focus ring; the manual forbids adjusting manual focus in AF mode
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; maximum 0.31× magnification at 250 mm; front and focus ring rotate during autofocus according to Ken Rockwell
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; automatically compensates across the direction of panning; manual recommends switching IS off on a tripod to save battery
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 towards longer focal lengths according to Ken Rockwell
Weather resistanceNo full weather sealing or mount gasket (The Digital Picture)–
Dimensions detail77.4 mm maximum diameter × 96 mm length according to Canon Camera Museum70 mm maximum diameter × 108 mm length from the mount to the lens front without caps
Weight detail–Approximate 390 g lens-only figure in Canon's instruction manual
Lens hoodOptional EW-73D; optional LP1116 pouch (The Digital Picture)Optional ET-60; reversible for storage
In the boxLens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E and user manualFront and rear caps according to Ken Rockwell; Canon's manual identifies the hood and LP1019 pouch as optional
Release detailMarketed in March 2016 according to Canon Camera MuseumCanon Camera Museum and Canon's UK launch announcement give July 2011 first availability. Canon identifies the 2007 EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS as its predecessor; the II retains its optical design and changes the exterior.

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