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

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Better figure, where one is clearly better

EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 III compared with EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS
CanonEF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IIICanonEF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2011September 2007
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length18–55 mm18–55 mm
Maximum aperturef/3.5–5.6f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperturef/22–38f/22–36
Optical construction11 elements in nine groups11 elements in nine groups
Special elementsHigh-precision aspherical 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 apertureSix blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view–Horizontal 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 camerasCanon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.25 m0.25 m
Maximum magnification0.34×0.34×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailAutofocus and manual focus selected with the lens switch according to Focus ReviewGeared DC motor according to Canon Japan; no full-time manual override according to The Digital Picture
Focus distance detailManual focusing uses the ribbed front tube; plastic barrel and mount according to Focus ReviewFront 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 detailNo image stabiliser according to Focus Review's exact-model testFour-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
Length70 mm70 mm
Weight190 g (better)200 g
Dimensions detail68.5 mm maximum diameter × 70 mm length68.5 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 2011 marketing and explicitly identifies this model as the successor to the EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II. No separately verified UK first-sale day is published in these sources.Canon 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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