Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II vs Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II vs Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
When comparing Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM and Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II, which one is better?
1. Lens Weight Comparison
Regarding the weight of the lenses, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II is the winner with a weight of 200 g compared to the 1530 g that Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM weighs.
Winner: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
Regarding weight: The weight of a lens is something you need to consider, since you have to carry it around on the camera as long as you're shooting. It adds to the total weight of your camera and it's important to keep the weight low if you get tired in your arms when taking photographs or filming.
2. Lens Mount Comparison
The lenses each feature different lens mounts — the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II features a Canon EF while the Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM features a Canon RF — and because of this the preference varies. If you have a compatible camera, then of course that lens will be a better choice for you.
Winner: Tied — It depends on your gear
Regarding lens mount: Popular lens mounts are Canon RF and EF, Micro Four Thirds and Nikon Z. Different lens mounts lets you connect different lenses to camera bodies, but some might not be compatible. This can be helped by using an adapter, like a Canon EF to RF adapter.
3. Largest Aperture Comparison
The Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II has the largest aperture of the two lenses at 3.5 - 5.6 compared to the 4.5 - 7.1 aperture of Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM. This means that you get more light to your sensor using Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II wide open, and therefore it might be a better lens in dark situations.
Winner: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
Regarding largest aperture: A lower aperture number means that the widest aperture on the lens is larger. This means that more light will hit the sensor and also that the depth of field will be shallower, better separating your subject from the background.
4. Anamorphic Comparison
Neither Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM or Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II are anamorphic lenses.
Winner: Tied — Neither have this feature
Regarding anamorphic: Anamorphic lenses are usually used on cinema cameras and squeezes the image when its recorded, which gives the final, stretched out, image oval bokeh and a different angle of view. The most common lenses, however, are not anamorphic but spherical, which gives a spherical bokeh and is a much cheaper lens design.
5. Focus Distance Comparison
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II features a minimum focus distance of 25 cm while Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM has a minimum focus distance of 90 cm. Depending on your shooting style, the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II might be a better choice.
Winner: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
Regarding minimum focus distance: The minimum focus distance of a lens is the smallest distance from the lens to the subject you want to be in focus; subjects closer than the lens' minimum focus distance will not be in focus. Whether or not this is important to you is up for you to decide, but some want to take close photos and videos and in those cases it's important to have a lens with a low minimum focus distance.
6. Lens Type Comparison
Both lenses are Zoom lenses, which means that you can choose both Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II or Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM if you're looking for that type of lens.
Winner: Tied
Regarding type: There are two types of lenses; zoom lenses and prime lenses. Prime lenses have a fixed focal length and cannot be zoomed, while zoom lenses have a focal length range and can be zoomed in to get closer to the subject. Prime lenses are usually lighter, cheaper and let in more light. Zoom lenses are more versatile but are more expensive since they require a more advanced lens design.
7. Filter Thread Comparison
The Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II feature a filter thread diameter of 58 mm while Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM feature a diameter of 77 mm. Depending on your current gear (like other lenses or filters) one of them might be favorable over the other.
Winner: Tied — It depends on your gear
Regarding filter thread diameter: The filter thread diameter is the size of which the lens is compatible with screw-on filters, such as CPL, ND or IR filters. If you have several lenses of a certain size, it might be a good idea to keep the same filter thread size to make sure your filters work on all your lenses. If not, then you may buy step up rings to adapt from a certain diameter to the filter thread diameter of your other lenses.
8. Stabilization Comparison
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II and Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM both feature built-in image stabilization.
Winner: Tied — both have this feature
Regarding image stabilization: When a lens features built-in stabilization, it will actively help you hold the image steady by adjusting the optical elements inside the lens to compensate for movements. Do remember that lens stabilization is not required, but it may be suitable depending on your specific needs.
9. Autofocus Comparison
Both lenses have autofocus, which means that they're both great at focusing targets while taking photographs or filming video. Just remember, most cameras do not offer good autofocus while filming video.
Winner: Tied — both have this feature
Regarding autofocus: Lenses with autofocus help you focus when shooting pictures or video. If a lens only has manual focus it means that you have to focus manually by adjusting the focus wheel on the lens. Most cinema lenses do not use autofocus and are manual focus only.
10. Weather Seal Comparison
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM features a weather sealed design while Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II does not. This means that Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM is a much better choice if you know that you'll use the lens in harsh environments, where moist, rain or dust is present.
Winner: Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Regarding weather seal: A lens that is weather sealed will perform better over time if you're using the lens in harsh conditions where it's wet or dusty. It may not matter if you're merely using your lens in a studio or in your home.
11. Full Frame Comparison
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM covers a full frame sensor while Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II does not. If you have a full frame camera then Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM is the only choice for you in this comparison.
Winner: Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Regarding full frame coverage: All lenses do not cover full frame sensors, but not all cameras are full frame cameras either. If a lens covers a full frame sensor it can be used on all cameras with a matching lens mount, both full frame and crop sensors, except for medium format cameras.
Specifications
Full specifications table of Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II and Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM:
| Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II | Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM | |
 |  | |
| Brand | Canon | Canon |
| Weight | 200 g | 1530 g |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF | Canon RF |
| Focal Length | 18 - 55 mm | 100 - 500 mm |
| Largest Aperture | 3.5 - 5.6 | 4.5 - 7.1 |
| Anamorphic | No | No |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 25 cm | 90 cm |
| Type | Zoom | Zoom |
| Aperture Range | Missing | 4.5 - 54 |
| Filter Thread Diameter | 58 | 77 |
| Aperture Blades | Missing | 9 |
| Lens Groups | 9 | 14 |
| Lens Elements | 11 | 20 |
| Image Stabilization | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus | Evet | Evet |
| Weather Seal | No | Yes |
| Full Frame Coverage | No | Yes |
| Lens Hood Included | No | Yes |
| Stabilization Type | Canon Image Stabilizer (IS) | Canon Image Stabilizer (IS) |