EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USMvs 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art

GearFrame · Updated March 2026

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM (2016) Starting from £449 new Best for Travel, everyday photography & video View EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
VS
Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art (2013) Starting from £499 new Best for Low light, portrait & events photography View 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art

GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?

Travel, Everyday Photography & Video — EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM (2016): The best one-lens solution for the 90D — the 7.5× zoom range with Nano USM and IS covers almost any shooting situation in a single barrel.

Low Light, Portrait & Events Photography — 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art (2013): The world's only constant f/1.8 zoom — an extraordinary APS-C lens that renders like a prime at every focal length.

↓ Full specifications below

Who should buy what

Quick take: The ef-s 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 is usm is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.

Full specifications

Specification EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM (2016)18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art (2013)
Price £449 £499
Sensor f/3.5-5.6 (variable max aperture) f/1.8 (constant max aperture)
Video 39cm minimum focus distance 28cm minimum focus distance
Autofocus Nano USM — fast, smooth, and near-silent; ideal for video AF HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) — fast and near-silent with full-time manual override
Stabilisation 4-stop IS None (relies on body IS if available)
Burst Rate N/A N/A
Battery Life N/A N/A
Weight 480g 810g
Dimensions 76.6mm diameter × 96.1mm length 78mm diameter × 121mm length
Weather Sealed No No
Viewfinder N/A N/A
Screen N/A N/A
Mount Canon EF / EF-S Canon EF / EF-S
Memory Cards N/A N/A
Connectivity N/A N/A

Suitability by genre

Genre EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art
Travel
9.0
—
Vlogging & Video
7.0
—
Landscape
7.0
—
Portrait —
9.0
Wedding & Events —
9.0
Street —
7.0
⚡ Compare specs side by side EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM prices → 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art prices →

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