Introduction
The Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Nano USM is a versatile all-in-one zoom lens designed for Canon APS-C DSLR cameras. With an effective focal length of approximately 29–216mm (35mm equivalent), it covers a wide range of shooting needs—from sweeping landscapes and portraits to distant subjects—making it an ideal everyday or travel lens.
Design and Build Quality
This lens features a compact and lightweight design, weighing around 515g, which makes it convenient for long shoots and travel. It sports a solid plastic construction with a metal mount, providing a good balance between durability and portability. The zoom and focus rings are smooth and well-damped, ensuring comfortable handling during both still and video shooting.
Optical Performance
The lens employs 16 elements in 12 groups, including one UD (Ultra-Low Dispersion) element and one aspherical element to minimize chromatic aberrations and distortions. Image sharpness is good in the center, especially at mid-zoom ranges, while colors are rendered naturally with good contrast. Although corner sharpness and light falloff appear at wider apertures, these are easily corrected in post-processing.
Nano USM Autofocus System
A key highlight of this lens is Canon’s Nano Ultrasonic Motor (USM) technology, which delivers exceptionally fast, smooth, and nearly silent autofocus performance. This makes it suitable not only for still photography but also for video recording, offering seamless focus transitions and minimal noise during operation.
Image Stabilization (IS)
Equipped with a 4-stop Image Stabilizer, the lens effectively reduces camera shake for sharper handheld shots. The Dynamic IS mode enhances stabilization during video capture, especially when shooting while walking or moving. This feature is particularly useful for vloggers and content creators.
Video Capabilities
The EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Nano USM is also compatible with Canon’s Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1, allowing smooth and controlled electronic zooming—an advantage for filmmakers seeking professional zoom effects.
Performance in Real Use
In real-world shooting, the lens performs impressively as an all-purpose option. It covers a broad zoom range, focusing quickly and accurately even in challenging lighting conditions. While the variable aperture limits its low-light performance, the stabilization compensates effectively for handheld shooting.
Conclusion
The Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Nano USM is a highly versatile zoom lens that blends excellent reach, fast autofocus, and effective image stabilization in a compact package. It’s a perfect match for photographers and videographers seeking a single-lens solution for diverse shooting situations.
Canon EF-S 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM Camera Lens Specs
| Focal Length |
18 to 135mm (35mm Equivalent Focal Length: 28.8 to 216mm) |
| Maximum Aperture |
f/3.5 to 5.6 |
| Minimum Aperture |
f/22 to 38 |
| Lens Mount |
Canon EF-S |
| Format Compatibility |
APS-C |
| Angle of View |
74° 20' to 11° 30' |
| Minimum Focus Distance |
1.28' / 39 cm |
| Maximum Magnification |
0.28x |
| Optical Design |
16 Elements in 12 Groups |
| Diaphragm Blades |
7, Rounded |
| Focus Type |
Autofocus |
| Image Stabilization |
Yes |
| Filter Size |
67 mm (Front) |
| Dimensions (ø x L) |
3.05 x 3.78" / 77.4 x 96 mm |
| Weight |
1.13 lb / 515 g |
