Canon EF-S 18–135mm F/3.5–5.6 IS USM: A Worthwhile Upgrade

If you’re in the market for buying a reasonably priced zoom lens that can cover the popular focal lengths, then Canon may have the answer.

The Canon EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM is made specifically for APS-C DSLRs, which works out at a real-world focal length of 29–216mm. Adding other features such as image stabilization and a reasonable minimum focusing distance, the whole lens works out to be a well thought out package.

This may be a kit lens that comes with the EOS 80D or sold separately, but it still has the potential for quality images. Let’s dig in and see what the lens can provide.

Design

For a lens that can cover such a wide focal length, it’s pretty lightweight at 515g. This is an initial advantage, especially when you’re using it on a more lightweight crop sensor body like the 80D. The lens body is not as tough feeling as a Canon L-series lens, but it is made of very tough plastic with a metal lens mounts.

There’s no weather sealing on the lens, but it should be good enough for general weather use. Inside the lens are 16 elements arranged in 12 groups, with seven rounded diaphragm blades.