Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM vs Canon EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS STM

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM compared with EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS STM

	CanonEF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM	CanonEF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS STM
Overview
Released
Released	March 2016	September 2013
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	18–135 mm	55–250 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/3.5–5.6	f/4–5.6
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22–36	f/22–32
Optical construction
Optical construction	16 elements in 12 groups	15 elements in 12 groups
Special elements
Special elements	One UD and one aspherical element	One UD element
Coatings
Coatings	Super Spectra coatings	Super Spectra coatings
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	Minimum f/22–36 with one-third-stop increments; f/22–38 with half-stop increments	–
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Seven blades with a circular aperture	Seven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view
Angle of view	–	Horizontal 23°20′–5°20′; vertical 15°40′–3°30′; diagonal 27°50′–6°15′
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Canon EF-S	Canon EF-S
Image circle
Image circle	APS-C	APS-C
Compatibility
Compatibility	Canon EF-S mount APS-C cameras	Canon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras; 88–400 mm equivalent field of view
Adaptor support
Adaptor support	Canon UK supports EOS M cameras with an EF-EOS M mount adaptor	–
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.39 m	0.85 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.28×	0.29×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	Yes
Autofocus detail
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	STM stepping motor with lead screw; electronic manual focus adjustment after One-Shot autofocus locks according to ePHOTOzine
Focus distance detail
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)	Minimum focus distance 0.85 m throughout the zoom range; maximum 0.29× magnification at 250 mm; non-rotating front element
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Maximum 0.28× at 135 mm	–
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	Four-stop optical Image Stabilizer with automatic panning detection	3.5-stop CIPA claim; automatic panning detection disables correction in the direction of movement
Video features
Video features	Optional PZ-E1 power zoom adaptor attaches beneath the lens (The Digital Picture)	–
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	No	No
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	67 mm	58 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	77.4 mm	70 mm
Length
Length	96 mm	111.2 mm
Weight
Weight	515 g	375 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Focus and zoom rings; AF/MF, stabiliser and zoom-lock switches (The Digital Picture)	–
Zoom design
Zoom design	Extends towards longer focal lengths; zoom lock retains the retracted position (The Digital Picture)	–
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	No full weather sealing or mount gasket (The Digital Picture)	No weather seals according to Digital Camera World
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	77.4 mm maximum diameter × 96 mm length according to Canon Camera Museum	70 mm maximum diameter × 111.2 mm length in the retracted state
Lens hood
Lens hood	Optional EW-73D; optional LP1116 pouch (The Digital Picture)	ET-63; sold separately according to both reviews
In the box
In the box	Lens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E and user manual	–
Release detail
Release detail	Marketed in March 2016 according to Canon Camera Museum	Canon Japan gives first sale on 12 September 2013; Canon Camera Museum gives September. This day is the Japanese release, not a separately confirmed UK day.