Canon EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM vs Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonEF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM | CanonEF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | April 2013 | May 2017 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Prime |
| Focal length | 18–55 mm | 35 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.5–5.6 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22–36 | f/32 |
| Optical construction | 13 elements in 11 groups | 10 elements in six groups |
| Special elements | One high-precision aspherical element | One aspherical element shown in Canon Camera Museum's optical diagram |
| Aperture detail | Minimum f/22–36 with third-stop increments; f/22–38 with half-stop increments according to Canon's manual | Minimum f/32 with one-third-stop aperture increments |
| Diaphragm | Seven blades with a circular aperture | Seven blades; circular aperture according to Canon Camera Museum |
| Angle of view | Horizontal 64°30′–23°20′; vertical 45°30′–15°40′; diagonal 74°20′–27°50′ | Horizontal 35°55′, vertical 24°20′, diagonal 42°35′ |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Canon EF-S | Canon EF-S |
| Image circle | APS-C | APS-C |
| Compatibility | Canon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras; 29–88 mm equivalent field of view; EOS M use requires Mount Adapter EF-EOS M | Canon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras; equivalent angle of view to 56 mm on full frame |
| Teleconverter support | Canon extenders cannot be used | Canon EF extenders are not compatible |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.25 m | 0.13 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.36× | 1× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | Lead-screw STM supports Movie Servo AF on compatible cameras; manual adjustment after One-Shot autofocus requires keeping the shutter button half pressed | STM autofocus; electronic manual focusing requires the camera to be awake according to Dustin Abbott |
| Focus distance detail | Electronic manual focusing is unavailable with the camera off or lens asleep; internal focusing with a non-rotating filter thread according to both reviews | 0.13 m minimum focus measured from the image plane; approximately 30 mm working distance from the lens front at life-size magnification according to Canon Japan |
| 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 | Maximum 1×; EF12 II extension tube gives 0.34–1.41× and EF25 II gives 0.76–1.91× according to Canon UK |
| Stabilisation detail | 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. | Hybrid IS compensates for angular and lateral movement; Canon states four stops of correction, with effectiveness depending on shooting distance |
| Design | ||
| Filter diameter | 58 mm | 49 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 69 mm | 69.2 mm |
| Length | 75.2 mm | 55.8 mm |
| Weight | 205 g | 190 g (better) |
| Controls | – | Macro Lite can illuminate both sides or either side individually, with brightness control; AF/MF and stabiliser switches |
| Filter detail | – | 49 mm filter attaches to the ES-27 hood; Canon Japan specifies one filter and removing the hood to use Macro Lite illumination |
| Zoom design | Most compact around 30 mm, extending modestly towards both ends according to The Digital Picture | – |
| Dimensions detail | 69 mm maximum diameter × 75.2 mm retracted length; dimensions and 205 g weight are lens only, excluding caps | 69.2 mm maximum diameter × 55.8 mm retracted length |
| Lens hood | EW-63C hood and LP1016 pouch sold separately | ES-27 hood; LP1014 case is optional according to Canon Japan |
| In the box | E-58II front cap, Lens Dust Cap E, instructions and warranty card according to Canon Japan | Lens, ES-27 hood, EF-S35 front cap, Lens Dust Cap E and warranty paperwork in Canon Japan's listed package |
| Release detail | 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. | Canon Camera Museum records May 2017 marketing. Canon Japan announced it on 6 April 2017 and records the Japanese first-sale date as 29 June 2017; a UK first-sale day is not established by these sources. |
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