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Canon EF-S 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM Review

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM

Main Features

  • 15-85mm Focal Range
  • F3.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Filter Thread: 72mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Canon EF-S Mount
  • Weight: 575g.
  • Diameter: 82mm
  • Length: 88mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.35m
  • Max Magnification:0.21x
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Canon 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM Overview

Canon 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM is an Auto Focus (AF) Standard Zoom lens with APS-C / DX max sensor coverage and it is designed to be used with Canon EF-S mount cameras.

Lens Mount

Canon 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM is compatible with cameras that have Canon EF-S lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF-S lenses are Canon T8i, Canon 90D and Canon SL3.

Focal Range

Canon 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM has a focal range of 15-85mm and 5.7X zoom ratio which has a 35mm equivalent focal range of 24-136mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.

Optical Image Stabilization

Canon 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting.

Zoom Method

Canon 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM features Rotary (extending) zoom method where the length of the lens changes as you zoom in or out. This makes it possible to design the lens with a smaller minimum length ( generally when it is zoomed out) compared to internal zoom lenses. The disadvantages of this design are being harder to seal against dust and moisture, weight balance shifting while zooming and zoom creep in certain lenses.

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Canon 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.21x and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.35m.

Aperture

Canon 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM is a variable aperture lens with a max aperture of f3.5 and a minimum aperture of f22 at 15mm, and a max aperture of f5.6 and minimum aperture of f36 at 85mm .

Optical Formula

Canon 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM's optical formula consists of 17 elements in 12 groups . Special elements used in this design is Super Spectra coatings.

Lens Hood

Canon 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM doesn't come with a lens hood but there is an optional lens hood with a part code of EW-78E that you can order separately.

Body Colour

Canon 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM is available in Black color.

Popular Comparisons of Canon 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM

Here is the eight most popular comparisons of Canon 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Canon 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f4-5.6 IS USM Lens Canon EF-S 17-85mm f4-5.6 IS USM
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APS-C / DX 475gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Lens Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM
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APS-C / DX 520gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM
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APS-C / DX 480gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM Lens Canon EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM
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APS-C / DX 645gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM C Lens Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM C
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APS-C / DX 465gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM
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APS-C / DX 515gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM
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APS-C / DX 565gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF-S 18-55mm F4-5.6 IS STM Lens Canon EF-S 18-55mm F4-5.6 IS STM
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APS-C / DX 215gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

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Pros and Cons of Canon EF-S 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM


PROs
Image Stabilization
Built-in Autofocus
Full-time Manual Focusing
Versatile Lens with a Zoom Ratio of 5

CONs
No Weather Sealing
Hood is not supplied
Lens Extents while focusing
Slow Aperture at Tele end
Variable Aperture
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM Alternatives in Canon EF-S Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f4-5.6 IS USM Lens Canon EF-S 17-85mm f4-5.6 IS USM
Compare
APS-C / DX 475gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM C Lens Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM C
Compare
APS-C / DX 465gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Lens Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM
Compare
APS-C / DX 520gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Canon 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Canon
Lens Type Zoom
Lens Type Standard Zoom
Lens Mount Canon EF-S
Max Format APS-C / DX
Focal Range 15-85mm
Image Stabilization Yes
Colour Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No
Zoom Lock No
Zoom Ratio 5.7X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F3.5 - F5.6
Min Aperture F22.0 - F36.0
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades 7
Optics
Optical Elements 17
Optical Groups 12
Special Elements Super Spectra coatings

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 0.35m
Max Magnification 0.21X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Ring-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal
Distance Scale Yes
DoF Scale Yes
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 575g
Diameter 82mm
Length 88mm
Materials Plastic barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing No
Filter Thread 72mm
Filter Notes -
Hood Supplied No
Hood Code EW-78E
Tripod Collar No
Optional Accessories Soft Case LP1116
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Frequently Asked Questions about Canon EF-S 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM
is the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM a Weather Sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Canon EF-S 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM
is the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Canon EF-S 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM
Does Canon EF-S 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM have Image Stabilization?
Does Canon EF-S 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Canon EF-S 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM
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