Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II vs Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II vs Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM
When comparing Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM 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 RF 16mm F2.8 STM is the winner with a weight of 165 g compared to the 200 g that Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II weighs.
Winner: Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM
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 16mm F2.8 STM 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 RF 16mm F2.8 STM has the largest aperture of the two lenses at 2.8 compared to the 3.5 - 5.6 aperture of Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II. This means that you get more light to your sensor using Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM wide open, and therefore it might be a better lens in dark situations.
Winner: Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM
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 16mm F2.8 STM 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 RF 16mm F2.8 STM features a minimum focus distance of 13 cm while Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II has a minimum focus distance of 25 cm. Depending on your shooting style, the Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM might be a better choice.
Winner: Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM
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
The Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II is a Zoom lens while the Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM is a Prime lens. Whether or not a zoom lens or a prime lens is what you need, is up to you to decide; they both have their respective strengths and weaknesses.
Winner: Tied — It depends on your gear
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 16mm F2.8 STM feature a diameter of 43 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 features built-in image stabilization and Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM does not. Depending on your shooting style, this may be a heavy factor to choose Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II instead of Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM.
Winner: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
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. Full Frame Comparison
Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM 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 16mm F2.8 STM is the only choice for you in this comparison.
Winner: Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM
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 16mm F2.8 STM:
| Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II | Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM | |
 |  | |
| Brand | Canon | Canon |
| Weight | 200 g | 165 g |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF | Canon RF |
| Focal Length | 18 - 55 mm | 16 mm |
| Largest Aperture | 3.5 - 5.6 | 2.8 |
| Anamorphic | No | No |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 25 cm | 13 cm |
| Type | Zoom | Prime |
| Aperture Range | Missing | 2.8 - 22 |
| Filter Thread Diameter | 58 | 43 |
| Lens Groups | 9 | 7 |
| Lens Elements | 11 | 9 |
| Image Stabilization | Yes | No |
| Autofocus | Evet | Evet |
| Macro | Missing | No |
| Weather Seal | No | Missing |
| Full Frame Coverage | No | Yes |
| Lens Hood Included | No | Missing |
| Stabilization Type | Canon Image Stabilizer (IS) | Missing |