Canon EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II USM vs Canon EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II USM compared with EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS
CanonEF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II USMCanonEF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2005September 2007
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length18–55 mm18–55 mm
Maximum aperturef/3.5–5.6f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperturef/22–36f/22–36
Optical construction11 elements in nine groups; Canon's EF Lens Work III records exterior design changes from type I while optical performance remains the same11 elements in nine groups
Special elementsOne precision aspherical element; Canon's EF Lens Work III identifies the tenth elementPrecision aspherical element
Aperture detail–Canon Camera Museum lists minimum f/22–36; Canon Japan support lists f/22–38
DiaphragmSix blades with a circular aperture according to Canon Camera MuseumSix blades with a circular aperture
Angle of viewDiagonal 74°20′–27°50′ according to Canon's EF Lens Work IIIHorizontal 64°30′–23°20′; vertical 45°30′–15°40′; diagonal 74°20′–27°50′
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon EF-SCanon EF-S
Image circleAPS-CAPS-C
CompatibilityCanon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras; equivalent angle of view to approximately 29–88 mm on full frameCanon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.28 m0.25 m
Maximum magnification0.28×0.34×
Optical stabilisation–Yes
Autofocus detailCanon Micro USM II ultrasonic motorGeared DC motor according to Canon Japan; no full-time manual override according to The Digital Picture
Focus distance detailFront-group rotating extension focusing; minimum distance 0.28 m throughout the zoom range according to Canon's EF Lens Work IIIFront element rotates and extends during focusing; select MF before using the narrow manual focus ring according to The Digital Picture and Photozone
Magnification detail–Maximum 0.34× at 55 mm; EF12 II gives 0.64–0.23× and EF25 II gives 1.00–0.51× according to Canon Japan
Stabilisation detail–Four-stop launch claim based on a shutter speed of 1/(focal length × 1.6) seconds; automatic panning detection according to Canon Japan. Photozone and The Digital Picture report approximately three stops in their tests.
Design
Filter diameter58 mm58 mm
Maximum diameter68.5 mm68.5 mm
Length66 mm70 mm
Weight190 g (better)200 g
Dimensions detail68.5 mm maximum diameter × 66 mm length; 190 g according to Canon68.5 mm maximum diameter × 70 mm length
Lens hood–EW-60C hood and LP814 case sold separately according to Canon Japan
Release detailCanon Camera Museum records March 2005 marketing; no first-sale day is given by this sourceCanon Japan records September 2007 first sale after the August announcement; Canon Camera Museum also records September 2007 marketing. No separately verified UK first-sale day is published in these sources.

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