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

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EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 III compared with EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM

	CanonEF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 III	CanonEF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM
Overview
Released
Released	March 2011	April 2013
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	18–55 mm	18–55 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/3.5–5.6	f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22–38	f/22–36
Optical construction
Optical construction	11 elements in nine groups	13 elements in 11 groups
Special elements
Special elements	High-precision aspherical element	One high-precision aspherical element
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	–	Minimum f/22–36 with third-stop increments; f/22–38 with half-stop increments according to Canon's manual
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Six blades with a circular aperture	Seven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view
Angle of view	–	Horizontal 64°30′–23°20′; vertical 45°30′–15°40′; diagonal 74°20′–27°50′
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Canon EF-S	Canon EF-S
Image circle
Image circle	APS-C	APS-C
Compatibility
Compatibility	Canon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras	Canon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras; 29–88 mm equivalent field of view; EOS M use requires Mount Adapter EF-EOS M
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	–	Canon extenders cannot be used
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.25 m	0.25 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.34×	0.36×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	No	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Autofocus and manual focus selected with the lens switch according to Focus Review	Lead-screw STM supports Movie Servo AF on compatible cameras; manual adjustment after One-Shot autofocus requires keeping the shutter button half pressed
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Manual focusing uses the ribbed front tube; plastic barrel and mount according to Focus Review	Electronic manual focusing is unavailable with the camera off or lens asleep; internal focusing with a non-rotating filter thread according to both reviews
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	–	Maximum 0.36× at 55 mm; EF12 II gives 0.65–0.23× and EF25 II gives 1.00–0.51× at 55 mm; both are incompatible at 18 mm
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	No image stabiliser according to Focus Review's exact-model test	Canon's manual and Japanese support specify 3.5 stops under CIPA testing at 55 mm using an EOS 7D; the UK specification lists four stops. Automatic panning compensation; Canon recommends switching IS off on a tripod to conserve power.
Design
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	58 mm	58 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	68.5 mm	69 mm
Length
Length	70 mm	75.2 mm
Weight
Weight	190 g (better)	205 g
Zoom design
Zoom design	–	Most compact around 30 mm, extending modestly towards both ends according to The Digital Picture
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	68.5 mm maximum diameter × 70 mm length	69 mm maximum diameter × 75.2 mm retracted length; dimensions and 205 g weight are lens only, excluding caps
Lens hood
Lens hood	–	EW-63C hood and LP1016 pouch sold separately
In the box
In the box	–	E-58II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E, instructions and warranty card according to Canon Japan
Release detail
Release detail	Canon 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's support specification gives first sale on 12 April 2013, earlier than the announcement's promised late April; Camera Museum records April. The day is the Japanese release, not a separately confirmed UK day.