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Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM vs Canon RF-S 18–45mm F4.5–6.3 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 USMCanonRF-S 18–45mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2016June 2022
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length18–135 mm18–45 mm
Maximum aperturef/3.5–5.6f/4.5–6.3
Minimum aperturef/22–36f/22–32
Optical construction16 elements in 12 groupsSeven elements in seven groups
Special elementsOne UD and one aspherical elementTwo plastic-moulded aspherical elements; Super Spectra coating; no fluorine coating
CoatingsSuper Spectra coatings–
Aperture detailMinimum f/22–36 with one-third-stop increments; f/22–38 with half-stop incrementsMinimum f/22 at 18 mm and f/32 at 45 mm, per UK and Japan specifications; Camera Museum table lists f/18 at 18 mm
DiaphragmSeven blades with a circular apertureSeven blades
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon EF-SCanon RF
Image circleAPS-CAPS-C
CompatibilityCanon EF-S mount APS-C camerasCanon RF mount with APS-C image circle; full-frame EOS R bodies crop to APS-C; RF extenders and EF extension tubes not compatible
Adaptor supportCanon UK supports EOS M cameras with an EF-EOS M mount adaptor–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.39 m0.15 m (manual focus)
Maximum magnification0.28×0.26× (manual focus)
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 viewfinderSTM autofocus and electronic manual focusing
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)Autofocus minimum 0.20 m at 18 mm, 0.30 m at 35 mm and 0.35 m at 45 mm; manual-focus minimum 0.15 m, 0.24 m and 0.25 m at those focal lengths
Magnification detailMaximum 0.28× at 135 mmAutofocus maximum 0.14× at 18 mm, 0.15× at 35 mm and 0.16× at 45 mm; manual-focus maximum 0.25×, 0.21× and 0.26× respectively
Stabilisation detailFour-stop optical Image Stabilizer with automatic panning detectionOptical IS rated four stops with EOS R10 at 45 mm under CIPA, yaw/pitch; coordinated IS rated 6.5 stops with EOS R7 at 45 mm under CIPA, yaw/pitch
Video featuresOptional PZ-E1 power zoom adaptor attaches beneath the lens (The Digital Picture)–
Design
Dust and moisture resistantNoNo
Filter diameter67 mm49 mm
Maximum diameter77.4 mm69 mm
Length96 mm44.3 mm
Weight515 g130 g
ControlsFocus and zoom rings; AF/MF, stabiliser and zoom-lock switches (The Digital Picture)Combined focus/control ring and zoom ring; AF/MF and IS controlled through camera settings
Zoom designExtends towards longer focal lengths; zoom lock retains the retracted position (The Digital Picture)Retractable barrel; lens must be extended for shooting
Weather resistanceNo full weather sealing or mount gasket (The Digital Picture)No dust or moisture resistance
Dimensions detail77.4 mm maximum diameter × 96 mm length according to Canon Camera MuseumApproximately 69 mm maximum diameter × 44.3 mm length, retracted
Weight detail–Approximately 130 g lens
Lens hoodOptional EW-73D; optional LP1116 pouch (The Digital Picture)EW-53 hood and LP814 pouch, sold separately
In the boxLens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E and user manualLens, E-49 front cap, RF lens dust cap and user manual
Release detailMarketed in March 2016 according to Canon Camera MuseumJune 2022 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum

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