Looking to find more information regarding these two camera lenses? Check out our side by side comparison of the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM vs Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6to review specs, pros and cons, and which is right for you.
Canon 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM Top Features
- 17-55mm Focal Range
- F2.8 Max Aperture
- Image Stabilization
- Filter Thread: 77mm
- Max Format: APS-C / DX
- Canon EF-S Mount
- Weight: 645g.
- Diameter: 84mm
- Length: 111mm
- Min Focus Distance:0.35m
- Max Magnification:0.17x
Canon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Top Features
- 18-55mm Focal Range
- F3.5 – F5.6 Max Aperture
- Filter Thread: 58mm
- Max Format:
- Canon EF-S Mount
- Weight: 190g.
- Diameter: 69mm
- Length: 80mm
- Min Focus Distance:0.28m
- Max Magnification:0.1x
Our Winner: Canon EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM over Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6
Focal Length – Wide
17mm
vs
18mm
1mm Wider coverage
Image Stabilization
Yes
vs
No
Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Optical Zoom
3.20x
vs
3.10x
More flexible focal coverage
Max Aperture – Wide
2.8
vs
3.5
Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture – Tele
2.8
vs
5.6
Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades
7
vs
6
Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Focus Type
Internal Focusing
vs
Extending front
Length of the lens doesn’t change during focusing
Distance Scale
Yes
vs
No
Distance Scale to assist focusing
Max Magnification
0.17x
vs
0.1x
higher magnification better for close-up shots
Weight
190g
vs
645g
455g lighter
Diameter
69mm
vs
84mm
15mm smaller in diameter
Length
80mm
vs
111mm
31mm shorter
Filter Thread
58mm
vs
77mm
Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance
0.28m
vs
0.35m
can focus closer to the subject
Canon 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM vs Canon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Specs Table
General
Canon 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM
Canon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6
Brand
Canon
Canon
Lens Type
Zoom
Zoom
Price
CHECK PRICE
CHECK PRICE
Lens Type
Standard Zoom
Standard Zoom
Lens Mount
Canon EF-S
Canon EF-S
Max Format
APS-C / DX
APS-C / DX
Focal Range
17-55mm
18-55mm
Image Stabilization
Yes
No
Colour
Black
Black
Zoom Method
Rotary (extending)
Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom
No
No
Zoom Lock
No
No
Zoom Ratio
3.2X
3.1X
Aperture
Max Aperture
F2.8
F3.5 – F5.6
Min Aperture
F22.0
F22.0 – F38.0
Aperture Ring
No
No
Diaphragm Blades
7
6
Optics
Optical Elements
19
11
Optical Groups
12
9
Special Elements
Super Spectra coatings
Optimised lens coatings to minimise ghosting and flare
Focusing
Min Focus Distance
0.35m
0.28m
Max Magnification
0.17X
0.1X
Autofocus
Yes
Yes
AF Motor Type
Ring-type ultrasonic
Micromotor
Full Time Manual
Yes
No
Focus Method
Internal
Extending front
Distance Scale
Yes
No
DoF Scale
Unknown
No
Distance Scale
Yes
No
Focus Distance Limiter
Unknown
Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight
645g
190g
Diameter
84mm
69mm
Length
111mm
80mm
Materials
Plastic barrel, metal mount
Plastic barrel, plastic mount
Weather Sealing
No
No
Filter Thread
77mm
58mm
Filter Notes
–
–
Hood Supplied
No
Unknown
Hood Code
EW-83J
EW-60C
Tripod Collar
No
No
Optional Accessories
Soft Case LP1219
Soft Case LP814
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