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

x
Lens to replace
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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

SuperZoom | Canon EF-S

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS
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BUY from B&H PHOTO

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

In this review, we will be comparing the Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX for the EF Mount and the Canon 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS for the EF-S Mount, two SuperZoom lenses from Tokina and Canon.

We will start by looking briefly at the main specs of these two lenses, and in the following section, we will start analyzing them in more detail and listing the pros and cons of each lens.

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

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: 455g.
  • Diameter: 75mm
  • Length: 101mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.45m
  • Max Magnification: 0.21x
Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX Tokina 16.5-135mm f3..
Canon 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS Canon 18-135mm f3.5-..
Tokina 16.5-135mm f3..
See at AMAZON
Canon 18-135mm f3.5-..
See at AMAZON

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

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

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


Size and Weight Comparison

The 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 101mm. The Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX with a length of 78mm, is 23mm shorter. On the other hand, the Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX has a larger diameter of 84mm compared to the Canon 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS's 75mm diameter.

The 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 455g, 25% (155g) lighter than the Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX's weight of 610g.


Lens Mounts

The Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX has the Canon EF lens mount whereas the Canon 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS has the Canon EF-S 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 Mount and Canon T8i, Canon 90D and Canon SL3 for the Canon EF-S Mount.

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

Canon 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS is also available in Canon EF-S mount.

Focal Range

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. 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.

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

Focal Length - Wide 17mm vs 18mm 1mm Wider coverage
Optical Zoom 7.90x vs 7.50x More flexible focal coverage
Diaphragm Blades 9 vs 6 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Length 78mm vs 101mm 23mm shorter

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

Image Stabilization Yes vs No Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Internal Zoom Yes vs No Length of the lens doesn't change during zooming
Weight 455g vs 610g 155g lighter
Diameter 75mm vs 84mm 9mm smaller in diameter
Filter Thread 67mm vs 77mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.45m vs 0.5m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.21x vs 0.18x higher magnification better for close-up shots
Common Weaknesses of Tokina AT-X 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX and Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS
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.

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

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Tokina Canon
Lens Type Zoom Zoom
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type SuperZoom SuperZoom
Lens Mount Canon EF Canon EF-S
Max Format APS-C / DX APS-C / DX
Focal Range 17-135mm 18-135mm
Image Stabilization No Yes
Colour - Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) Rotary (internal)
Power Zoom - No
Zoom Lock - No
Zoom Ratio 7.9X 7.5X
Aperture
Max Aperture F3.5 - F5.6 F3.5 - F5.6
Min Aperture F22.0 - F36.0 F22.0 - F38.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 9 6
Optics
Optical Elements 15 16
Optical Groups 9 12
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.5m 0.45m
Max Magnification 0.18X 0.21X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Micromotor Micromotor
Full Time Manual No No
Focus Method - Internal
Distance Scale Yes -
DoF Scale No -
Distance Scale Yes -
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 610g 455g
Diameter 84mm 75mm
Length 78mm 101mm
Materials - Plastic barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 77mm 67mm
Hood Supplied Yes No
Hood Code BH-777 EW-73B
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - Soft Case LP1116
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