Author: Bill Cui Kunnan
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| Head to head battle! |
I would like to show you the key features of these two lenses and analyse for the entry level camera users or enthusiastic photographer. This is not the most professional review you have ever read because of my knowledge and testing environment. However, the comparison between these two lenses is never written by some confidential websites, and my point of view is rather straight foward. Therefore, I hope my readers can get the most suitable lens from reading BC Camera Fever's review.
Headline Features
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
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Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
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Zoom range
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17-85mm (27-135mm equivalent 35mm format)
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18-135mm( 29-216mm equivalent 35mm format)
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Aperture
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4-5.6
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3.5-5.6
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Image Stabilizer
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3-stop
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4-stop
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Closet focus distance
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35 cm
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45 cm
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Distance scale
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Yes
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NO
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USM(ultrasonic motor)
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Yes
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No
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Full-time manual focus
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Yes
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No
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UD glass
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No
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Yes
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Landscape
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| 17mm of Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM |
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| 18mm of Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS |
Both lens has similar wide angle range, Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM is slightly wider compare to Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS. Wider range allows you see more things in a landscape shot. In the sample pictures, one shows more buildings on the border. Overall, they do not have massive difference as Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM is just 1mm (2mm equivalent in 35mm format) wider than Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS.
Tele end
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| 85mm of Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM |
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| 135mm of Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS |
Based on the sample image, we can see the huge difference between these two lenses. Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zooms into 135mm, it allows you get close to your subject easily without moving towards to it. On the other hand, Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM’s 85mm looks much further to the subject. Hence, Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS has longer focal zoom range which is a handy feature for walk-around purpose as well as newbies.
Aperture
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| Testing environment |
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| Background boken effect of Canon 17-85 |
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| Background boken effect of Canon 18-135 |
Both lenses do not have constant aperture, and their aperture values are relatively small, not an ideal option for night shooting. However, Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM’s maximum aperture is only f4, one-third stop smaller and even dimmer when you look through the viewfinder of the camera compared to Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS’ f3.5 maximum aperture. Subsequently, both lenses will struggle in shooting shallow depth-of-field, which means the background blur effect is not obvious as well as night shooting.
(To be continued)
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