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Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM vs Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX

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Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS

Standard Zoom | Canon EF-S

Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM
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Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX

SuperZoom | Canon EF

Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX
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Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS vs Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two lenses with different focal types: Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS is a Standard Zoom lens with a 18-135mm focal range and a max aperture of F3.5 - F5.6 whereas Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX is a SuperZoom lens with a 17-135mm focal range and max aperture of F3.5 - F5.6.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS Key Specs

  • 18-135mm Focal Range
  • F3.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Canon EF-S Mount
  • Weight: 515g.
  • Diameter: 77mm
  • Length: 96mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.39m
  • Max Magnification:0.28x

Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX Key Specs

  • 17-135mm Focal Range
  • F3.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 77mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 610g.
  • Diameter: 84mm
  • Length: 78mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.5m
  • Max Magnification:0.18x

What type of photography are the Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS and Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS and the Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX
Bird/WildlifeAverageAverage
SportsAverageAverage
PortraitGoodGood
TravelExcellentExcellent
StreetGoodGood
WeddingGoodGood
Walk AroundVery GoodVery Good
VloggingGoodGood
LandscapeGoodGood
MacroAveragePoor

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS is the longer of the two lenses at 96mm. The Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX with a length of 78mm is 18mm shorter. On the other hand, the Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX has a larger diameter of 84mm compared to Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS's 77mm diameter.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS weighs 515g, which means it is 95g (15%) lighter than the Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX which has a weight of 610g.


Lens Mounts

Both Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS has the Canon EF-S lens mount whereas the Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX has the Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with these mounts are Canon T8i, Canon 90D and Canon SL3 for the Canon EF-S Mount and Canon T8i, Canon 90D and Canon SL3 for the Canon EF Mount.

Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS is also available in Canon EF-S mount.

Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX is also available in Nikon F (DX) mount.

Focal Range

Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS has a focal range of 18-135mm and 7.5X zoom ratio which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 28.8-216mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera. Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX has a focal range of 17-135mm and 7.9X zoom ratio which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 27.2-216mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.

Reasons to choose Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM over Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX

Image Stabilization Yes vs No Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Weight 515g vs 610g 95g lighter
Diameter 77mm vs 84mm 7mm smaller in diameter
Filter Thread 67mm vs 77mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.39m vs 0.5m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.28x vs 0.18x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX over Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM

Focal Length - Wide 17mm vs 18mm 1mm Wider coverage
Optical Zoom 7.90x vs 7.50x More flexible focal coverage
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs 7 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Distance Scale Yes vs No Distance Scale to assist focusing
Length 78mm vs 96mm 18mm shorter
Common Weaknesses of Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM and Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX
Internal Zoom No vs No Length of the lens changes during zooming
Weather Sealing No vs No not safe under rain and dust



**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Canon 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS vs Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Canon Tokina
Lens Type Zoom Zoom
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Standard Zoom SuperZoom
Lens Mount Canon EF-S Canon EF
Max Format APS-C / DX APS-C / DX
Focal Range 18-135mm 17-135mm
Image Stabilization Yes No
Colour Black Unknown
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No -
Zoom Lock No -
Zoom Ratio 7.5X 7.9X
Aperture
Max Aperture F3.5 - F5.6 F3.5 - F5.6
Min Aperture F22.0 - F38.0 F22.0 - F36.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 7 9
Optics
Optical Elements 16 15
Optical Groups 12 9
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.39m 0.5m
Max Magnification 0.28X 0.18X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Ultrasonic Micromotor
Full Time Manual Yes No
Focus Method Internal Unknown
Distance Scale No Yes
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale No Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 515g 610g
Diameter 77mm 84mm
Length 96mm 78mm
Materials Plastic barrel, metal mount Unknown
Weather Sealing No Unknown
Filter Thread 67mm 77mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code EW-73D BH-777
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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