R10 lens question EF-S 18-135mm

Larry Rexley wrote:

RDM5546 wrote:

Larry Rexley wrote:

OpticsEngineer wrote:

Your question was if the 18-150 kit lens coming with the R7 and R10 is significantly better than the 18-135 EF-S like can be used on a 90D. From just a few quick test shots in my backyard, it seems to me the answer is yes. I also threw in a test shots from an M6II with its 18-150 lens. It is very similar to the 90D shots. All 3 cameras have the same resolution sensor. I wish I had time to do more thorough tests, here I just shot all three cameras on Auto so the ISO and aperture settings are not consistent between shots. But at least for my purposes of choosing what camera to take on vacation, it is pretty clear the R7 and its 18-150 is the winner. (The 90D I shot on LiveView so the focus would be accurate without worry about the lesser AF accuracy when using the OVF)

Thanks for posting the shots. Comparisons like this are tricky, for them to be useful it's best to control conditions very carefully so that the shots are as identical as can be (same distance, focus, focal length, lighting, exposure, ISO, and any post-processing. Otherwise slight differences can easily make one result look better than others due to some slight difference in methodology.

However even from a comparison like this you can draw some conclusions --- such as the 3 lenses in question aren't all that different in optical quality. it appears the RF-S 18-150 is quite similar to the EF-M version. An improvement might be due to better in-camera processing from the Digix X processor.

My own testing of the EF-S 18-135 vs the EF-M 18-150 on the same body was that they were very close in optical quality but that my informal preference was for the EF-M version, it seemed ever so slightly sharper and more contrasty.

I see the same thing with the EF-M 55-200 IS STM vs the EF-S 55-250 IS STM on the Canon M6ii: Both are of comparable IQ, but the EF-M appears to be slightly sharper with more contrast. The images 'pop' just a little more and need less sharpening in post. Video with the EF-M versions also seem to be more colorful and crisper over the EF-S versions.

I used my R7 & test chart board to compare my EF-S 15-85 with my RF-S 18-150. Below FL of 20mm the EF-S when carefully none side by side it was not as sharp as RF-S. However the EF-S does go past the 18mm to 15mm which is a very attractive difference in some shoots. Above 20 mm both EF-S and RF-S looked to be same sharpness throughout the upper mid and upper zoom ranges. I was expecting the touted EF-S 15-85 to be much better than the RF-S 18-150 but this is not true for my copies.

I AM DELIGHTED WITH SHARPNESS AND IQ of MY RF-S 18-150 after my detailed tests.

Great - I'm in agreement with the EF-M 18-150mm IS STM lens. Even though it isn't as sharp as the primes, it's respectably sharp throughout its range and has an incredibly useful range on crop sensor. Also a great lens for video, however the EF-S 18-135 IS STM lens did have smoother 'zooming' action for video.

I've always said if I can only take one lens with me on vacation with the M6ii, the EF-M 18-150mm I'd probably take.... so I was pleased to see it was ported to RF-S as I feel it adds a lot of value there. The second small and light lens to take would be the tiny but sharp and bright EF-M 22mm f2 pancake lens.

I have never used the EF-M lenses and the 32MP sensor can reveal softness other sensors will not see. The RF-S version is quite decent in the 18-85mm range shared with the EF-S 15-85 lens which I own. Throughout this frequently used range of 18-85 it is pretty sharper decent color and IQ. I am delighted. I have heard the 120-150 is worse than the 18-120mm range but stopping down 1 stop fixes it pretty well if you have enough light. I have the RF-100-400 for the long end shooting wild animals and whales should that be part of the travel.

I do have FF f2.8 trinity should I need better but I will not carry while traveling that until the images are of critical importance. I intend to look at for ultra wide angle during travel the rumored RF-S 11-22 should it become real.