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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 STM

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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 STM

SuperZoom | Canon EF-S

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM
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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 STM Comparison Overview

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

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.

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 STM 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: 480g.
  • Diameter: 77mm
  • Length: 96mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.39m
  • Max Magnification:0.28x

What type of photography are the Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX and Canon 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM 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 STM 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 STM
Bird/WildlifeAverageAverage
SportsAverageAverage
PortraitGoodGood
TravelExcellentExcellent
StreetGoodGood
WeddingGoodGood
Walk AroundVery GoodVery Good
VloggingGoodGood
LandscapeGoodGood
MacroPoorAverage

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 STM 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 STM'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 STM weighs 480g, 21% (130g) lighter than the Tokina 16.5-135mm f3.5-5.6 DX's weight of 610g.


Lens Mounts

Both 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 STM 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.

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 STM 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 STM

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

Reasons to choose Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM 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 480g vs 610g 130g 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
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 STM
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 STM 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 Unknown Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) Rotary (internal)
Power Zoom - No
Zoom Lock - Yes
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 7
Optics
Optical Elements 15 16
Optical Groups 9 12
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.5m 0.39m
Max Magnification 0.18X 0.28X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Micromotor Stepper motor
Full Time Manual No Yes
Focus Method Unknown Internal
Distance Scale Yes No
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale Yes No
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 610g 480g
Diameter 84mm 77mm
Length 78mm 96mm
Materials Unknown Plastic barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing Unknown No
Filter Thread 77mm 67mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Yes No
Hood Code BH-777 EW-73B
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - Soft Case LP1116
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