Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Nikon NIKKOR 2196 18-300mm
What Buyers Say
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
The Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens is widely praised as a versatile all-in-one walk-around lens for APS-C cameras. Users consistently highlight its silent and smooth STM autofocus, effective image stabilization, and useful zoom range that covers wide-angle to short telephoto. While image quality is considered very good for a kit-level zoom, some reviewers note softness at extreme focal lengths, barrel distortion at 18mm, and a variable aperture that limits low-light performance. Build quality is described as mostly plastic but adequate, though the focus-by-wire manual ring and occasional stiff zoom ring draw criticism.
Pros
- Silent and smooth STM autofocus
- Effective image stabilization
- Versatile 18-135mm zoom range
- Good image quality for a kit lens
- Lightweight and compact design
Cons
- Softness at extreme focal lengths
- Barrel distortion at 18mm
- Variable aperture limits low-light use
- Focus-by-wire manual ring
- Plastic build feels cheap
Nikon NIKKOR 2196 18-300mm
The Nikon 18-300mm lens is widely praised for its versatility, replacing multiple lenses with a single 16.7x zoom. Users highlight excellent clarity, fast performance, and effective vibration reduction, though they note it is heavy and expensive. Build quality is solid, and close-focus capability is a bonus. The main drawbacks are weight and the need for a good camera body to balance it.
Pros
- Excellent clarity and sharpness
- Fast performance and speed
- Effective vibration reduction (VR II)
- Versatile 16.7x zoom range (18-300mm)
- Solid build quality
Cons
- Heavy weight (over 2 lbs)
- High price
- No tripod mount on lens
- Requires good camera body for balance
- Large filter size (77mm) increases cost
Scores
Specifications
| Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM | Nikon NIKKOR 2196 18-300mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 135 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 19 |
| Groups | 12 | 14 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1★ | — |
| ED Elements | 1★ | — |
| Coating | Super Spectra Coating | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7★ | — |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Nikon F |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | — |
| Weight | 0.52 kg★ | 0.83 kg |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | — |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM★ | AF-S |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 390 mm | 300 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.28x★ | — |
Pros & Cons
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
- Strong versatility (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong aperture (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
- Below average user sentiment (32nd percentile)
Nikon NIKKOR 2196 18-300mm
- Strong versatility (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong aperture (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
- Strong user sentiment (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Strong bokeh (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Below average build (8th percentile)8th %ile
Pricing
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM offers 6.0x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 86 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 7 of 22 specs.
