Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM

Canon · EF

EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM

Released June 2012

A Canon EF-S standard-to-telephoto zoom for APS-C cameras, with stepping-motor autofocus, four-stop optical stabilisation and Dynamic IS for video.

Model history · 2 models, 2009–2012
  1. 2009EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 ISCompare
  2. 2012EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM
Mount
Canon EF-S
Focal length
18–135 mm
Max aperture
f/3.5–5.6
Stabilisation
Yes
Weight
480 g

What reviewers say

Both tests find good sharpness for a versatile superzoom, with colour fringing and distortion needing attention. ePHOTOzine praises quiet autofocus and effective stabilisation but questions the standalone price. DXOMARK finds little overall optical improvement over the original IS version and judges distortion more severely. Telephoto edge sharpness benefits from stopping down.

From ephotozine.com and dxomark.com

Optics

Lens type
Zoom
Focal length
18–135 mm
Maximum aperture
f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperture
f/22–36
Optical construction
16 elements in 12 groups with a six-group zoom design
Special elements
One UD and one high-precision aspherical element
Aperture detail
Minimum f/22–36 with one-third-stop increments; Canon UK's table lists f/22–38 with f/36 qualified for one-third stops
Diaphragm
Seven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view
Horizontal 64°30′–9°30′; vertical 45°30′–6°20′; diagonal 74°20′–11°30′

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Canon EF-S
Image circle
APS-C
Compatibility
Canon EF-S mount APS-C cameras
Image circle detail
Canon quotes a full-frame angle-of-view equivalent of 29–216 mm

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
0.39 m
Maximum magnification
0.28×
Optical stabilisation
Yes
Autofocus detail
STM; manual override after autofocus without changing focus mode
Focus distance detail
Electronic manual focus; adjustments in single autofocus mode after focus locks; non-rotating front filter thread (ePHOTOzine)
Stabilisation detail
Four-stop optical Image Stabilizer claim for still photographs
Video features
Dynamic IS for video; smooth Movie Servo AF on compatible cameras, including EOS 650D

Design

Filter diameter
67 mm
Maximum diameter
76.6 mm
Length
96 mm
Weight
480 g
Controls
Focus and zoom rings; zoom lock lever
Dimensions detail
76.6 mm maximum diameter × 96 mm length in the retracted state
Lens hood
Optional EW-73B; LP1116 pouch available separately
Release detail
Marketed in June 2012 according to Canon Camera Museum

Pros and cons

Pros

  • 18–135 mm zoom range
  • Four-stop optical stabilisation claim
  • Dynamic IS for video

Cons

  • f/5.6 maximum aperture at 135 mm
  • Hood sold separately

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Canon EF-S18–135 mmf/3.5–5.6Yes455 gOct 2009
Canon EF-S18–135 mmf/3.5–5.6Yes515 gMar 2016
Canon EF-S18–200 mmf/3.5–5.6Yes595 gSept 2008

Previous model: EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS. Newer model: EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM.

Sources

  1. canon.co.uk/lenses/ef-s-18-135mm-f-3-5-5-6-is-stm-lens/specification.html
  2. canon.co.uk/lenses/ef-s-18-135mm-f-3-5-5-6-is-stm-lens
  3. global.canon/en/c-museum/product/ef418.html
  4. ephotozine.com/article/canon-ef-s-18-135mm-f-3-5-5-6-is-stm-lens-review-20981

Photo: global.canon

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