Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

differences

Reasons to consider the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

More magnification

1:3 (0.3x)

1:5 (0.2x)

Take macro shots with subjects around 70% larger in your photo

Wider aperture

f/3.5

f/4

At its widest, the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS captures marginally more light, 0.4 f-stops

Slightly shorter

70 mm

92 mm

More than 20% shorter

Slightly lighter

200 g

475 g

2.4x lighter

Slightly cheaper

$199.00

$489.00

The best price we've seen is $290 cheaper (2.5x less)

Learn more about
the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Reasons to consider the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Has a silent focus motor

Canon USM

None

Focuses quickly and silently

Significantly narrower aperture

f/32

f/22

At its narrowest, the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM goes 1.1 f-stops narrower

More zoom

3.1x

More than 60% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos

Slightly better telephoto

85 mm

55 mm

More than 50% more reach, less perspective distortion

Learn more about
the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

	Very good image stabilization
	Canon IS

	Both are zoom lenses
	Typically not as sharp as prime lenses

	Both are variable aperture lenses
	Narrower aperture at longer focal lengths

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 50mm f/1.8 II

Low light lens

$98 - $125

Has a wider aperture

Is a fixed focal length prime lens

Doesn't have image stabilization

Has slightly smaller zoom range

Compare the EF 50mm f/1.8 II vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Compare the EF 50mm f/1.8 II vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

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

Travel lens

$499 - $500

Has slightly large zoom range

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

Compare the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Travel lens

$699

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

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

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Wide angle lens

$1,059

Has a wider aperture

Has a fixed aperture

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

Compare the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Travel lens

$479

Compare the EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Compare the EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM

Low light lens

Has a wider aperture

Is a fixed focal length prime lens

Doesn't have image stabilization

Has slightly smaller zoom range

Compare the 50mm f/1.4 USM vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Compare the 50mm f/1.4 USM vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Wide angle lens

$199

Has a wider aperture

Has worse image stabilization

Compare the 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Compare the 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Nikon Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

Wide angle lens

$109 - $197

Has a silent focus motor

Compare the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Canon 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM

Wildlife lens

$169

Has a silent focus motor

Significantly better telephoto

No image stabilization

Longer

Compare the 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

Travel lens

Wider aperture

Slightly more zoom

Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM

Low light lens

$370

Much wider aperture

Is a prime lens

No image stabilization

Significantly wider aperture

Compare the 85mm f/1.8 USM vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

discussion Which do you think is better?

Speech is free, but discussion at LensHero is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of these lenses here, and discuss feedback for LensHero at our support community.

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Canon
EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
vs
Canon
EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

differences

Reasons to consider the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Reasons to consider the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM