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What is the difference in EF-S 18-135 IS, IS STM and IS USM?

Started 8 months ago | Discussions
KENTGA Veteran Member • Posts: 8,733
What is the difference in EF-S 18-135 IS, IS STM and IS USM?

Thanks!

Kent

Here is a link to some of my travels since 2006. Feel free to comment.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/108062364@N04/albums
KENTGA = Kent from Georgia (metro Atlanta)

 KENTGA's gear list:KENTGA's gear list
Canon EOS 7D Canon EOS 6D Canon EOS Rebel SL1 Canon EOS 80D Tamron AF 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO +14 more
Aoi Usagi Veteran Member • Posts: 3,221
Re: What is the difference in EF-S 18-135 IS, IS STM and IS USM?
1

KENTGA wrote:

Thanks!

Kent

Here is a link to some of my travels since 2006. Feel free to comment.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/108062364@N04/albums
KENTGA = Kent from Georgia (metro Atlanta)

The main difference is the type of Autofocus mechanism.  The original IS version had somewhat of a noisy AF motor.  The STM upgraded to a stepper motor, which was quieter.  The latest USM version has an ultrasonic motor which is quiet and also faster than the STM version.

msowsun
msowsun Contributing Member • Posts: 740
Re: What is the difference in EF-S 18-135 IS, IS STM and IS USM?

Aoi Usagi wrote:

KENTGA wrote:

Thanks!

Kent

Here is a link to some of my travels since 2006. Feel free to comment.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/108062364@N04/albums
KENTGA = Kent from Georgia (metro Atlanta)

The main difference is the type of Autofocus mechanism. The original IS version had somewhat of a noisy AF motor. The STM upgraded to a stepper motor, which was quieter. The latest USM version has an ultrasonic motor which is quiet and also faster than the STM version.

In addition to the AF motor differences, most people say the original is not as sharp as the STM or USM versions.

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Canon PowerShot S110 Canon EOS D30 Canon EOS 5D Mark III Canon EOS Rebel SL1 Canon EOS 80D +27 more
Norm Neely Veteran Member • Posts: 3,451
Re: What is the difference in EF-S 18-135 IS, IS STM and IS USM?
1
 Norm Neely's gear list:Norm Neely's gear list
Nikon Coolpix 995 Olympus SP-550 UZ Canon EOS 40D Canon EOS 7D Mark II Canon EOS 5DS R +1 more
gipper51 Veteran Member • Posts: 5,904
Re: What is the difference in EF-S 18-135 IS, IS STM and IS USM?

msowsun wrote:

Aoi Usagi wrote:

KENTGA wrote:

Thanks!

Kent

Here is a link to some of my travels since 2006. Feel free to comment.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/108062364@N04/albums
KENTGA = Kent from Georgia (metro Atlanta)

The main difference is the type of Autofocus mechanism. The original IS version had somewhat of a noisy AF motor. The STM upgraded to a stepper motor, which was quieter. The latest USM version has an ultrasonic motor which is quiet and also faster than the STM version.

In addition to the AF motor differences, most people say the original is not as sharp as the STM or USM versions.

+1

This seems to be the overall consensus on these 3 lenses.  Original is the lowest performer by a significant margin, STM and USM are both good options, with USM being the best.

I has the STM for several years and found it a very good lens.

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tdbmd Senior Member • Posts: 1,547
Re: What is the difference in EF-S 18-135 IS, IS STM and IS USM?

I owned both the STM and NanoUSM versions for awhile.  Used both quite a bit.  The AF speed and accuracy is better with the NanoUSM version.  As far as IQ, they are quite close on 7D and 7DII bodies.  I think a slight edge in color/contrast to the newer NanoUSM version so I ended up selling the STM

 tdbmd's gear list:tdbmd's gear list
Canon EOS 7D Mark II Canon EOS Rebel T8i (EOS 850D) Canon EOS R6 Canon EF 85mm F1.8 USM Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM +11 more
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