Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM vs EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

differences

Reasons to consider the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Has a consant aperture

Yes

Constant aperture lenses offer the same aperture at all focal lengths

Wider aperture

f/2.8

f/3.5

At its widest, the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM captures slightly more light, 0.6 f-stops

Learn more about
the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Reasons to consider the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

More zoom

5.7x

3.2x

Around 80% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos

Slightly better telephoto

85 mm

55 mm

More than 50% more reach, less perspective distortion

Slightly more magnification

1:4.8 (0.2x)

1:6 (0.2x)

Take macro shots with subjects around 30% larger in your photo

Slightly cheaper

$699.00

$1,059.00

The best price we've seen is $360 cheaper (more than 30% less)

Learn more about
the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

	Very good image stabilization
	Canon IS

	Silent focus motor
	Silent and fast

	Both are zoom lenses
	Typically not as sharp as prime lenses

Compared to wide angle lenses

Common Strengths	Common Weaknesses
LensHero is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.	LensHero is not aware of any interesting weaknesses shared by these two products.

competitors

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

Wide angle lens

$1,280

Doesn't have image stabilization

Compare the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Compare the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM vs the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Wide angle lens

$594

Has worse image stabilization

Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon-ef vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon-ef vs the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

Wide angle lens

$739

Has a narrower aperture

Doesn't have image stabilization

Compare the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Compare the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM vs the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Wide angle lens

$196 - $199

Has a narrower aperture

Lacks a silent focus motor

Compare the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Compare the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Canon-ef

Wide angle lens

$499

Has worse image stabilization

Compare the 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Canon-ef vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Compare the 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Canon-ef vs the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Travel lens

$499 - $549

Has slightly large zoom range

Has a narrower aperture

Lacks a silent focus motor

Compare the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Compare the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Travel lens

$699

Has a slightly shorter telephoto lens

Has much large zoom range

Has a narrower aperture

Lacks a silent focus motor

Compare the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Compare the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM.

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Travel lens

$489

Narrower aperture

Slightly less zoom

Compare the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM vs the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Wide angle lens

$1,149

Has a consant aperture

Slightly better telephoto

Narrower aperture

Less zoom

Compare the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM vs the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

discussion Which do you think is better?

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Canon
EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
vs
Canon
EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

differences

Reasons to consider the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Reasons to consider the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM