Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM

The EOS 7D Mark II is Canon’s flagship APS-C sensor DSLR, boasting a 20Mp resolution and a host of high-end features. It’s a popular choice for many serious enthusiasts and semi-pro photographers, so we’ve tested over 300 lenses on it to help you pick out the best one for you. In this first part of a two-part review, we round up the best zoom lenses for the Canon EOS 7D Mark II.

This is the second and final part of our comprehensive lens recommendations for the new entry-level Canon EOS Rebel T5 / 1200D. This time we’ve assessed zoom lenses from both the Canon and third party makers to see how well they perform on the camera, and like before we’ll not only reveal the best performers but also take a closer look at the more accessibly priced options.

Following the lens recommendations for Nikon D7100 and entry-level D3200, we’ve now turned our attention to the new mid-range D5300. We’ve tested the camera with more than 140 Nikkor and third-party prime and zoom models to assess image quality. Read onto find out which of these lenses have the best image quality when paired with the new camera.

Introduced in July this year, the EOS 70D at first sight seems like a regular update to the maker’s mid-range EOS 60D model. It shares a number of features with the firm’s existing SLR range including a 19-point cross-type phase detection AF system, a 3-inch (1.040M dot) articulated touchscreen and built-in WiFi connectivity with remote viewing and image transfer. The camera can also shoot at up to 7fps and has 1080/30p video recording with stereo sound using an optional external microphone.

With its compact and lightweight body, the Canon EOS 100D / Rebel SL1 / Kiss X7 is the smallest DSLR in the firm’s line-up. While it adopts a similar performing sensor to the EOS 700D, the body is around 25% of the size of that model by volume and presents its own set of challenges when selecting lenses for it. In this review, we’ve taken a look at the optical quality of 130 different lenses fitted to the camera but this time we’re also making some limited recommendations about the handling and video capabilities. 

After comparing the imaging chain of the full-frame Canon EOS 5D Mk III across a raft of lenses, we’ve now turned our attention to the APS-C format EOS 700D / REBEL T5i / Kiss X7i. The 18.1-Mpix ‘Hybrid CMOS’ sensor in this camera is similar to those of the same size and pixel count used in the firm’s other models, including the semi-pro EOS 7D, so it may still be of interest even if you don’t own a EOS 700D / REBEL T5i / Kiss X7i.

Refreshed to include Canon’s latest evolution in autofocus technology, the Stepper Motor, the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-f5.6 IS STM offers ultra quiet continuous autofocus during video capture. With its predecessor the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-f5.6 IS still available and for less money however, if you’re not interested in video capture, which version of this lens should you go for and how does this latest model compare to the competition? Our Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-f5.6 IS STM review has the answers for you.

The Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM (29-216mm in 35mm) has many seductive strong points for photographers and videographers. Here are our first impressions:

Announced at the same time as the Canon EOS 650D, will the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM establish itself as the trans-standard lens of reference for APS-C reflex owners? Learn more in our preview.