Canon Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 is Standard Zoom Review

If you're shooting with a Canon APS-C camera like a Rebel or an 80D and you want one lens that can do almost everything, the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS is the classic 'do-it-all' option. It gives you a huge zoom range, from a decently wide 18mm all the way out to a telephoto 135mm. On a crop-sensor body, that's like having a 29-216mm lens in your bag, which is perfect for everything from travel and landscapes to getting closer shots at events. It's not the cheapest kit lens, but it's a huge step up in versatility from the basic 18-55mm most cameras come with. People often ask, 'what's a good all-around lens for my Canon?' and this is usually the first answer.

The performance here is all about flexibility, not about being the absolute sharpest or fastest. The image stabilization is a real star, sitting in the 89th percentile. That means you can handhold shots at slower shutter speeds without blur, which is a lifesaver in low light or at the long end of the zoom. The optical quality is rated in the 91st percentile, which means it's sharp enough for most uses, especially when you stop down the aperture a bit. Just don't expect pro-level prime lens sharpness wide open. The autofocus is middle-of-the-road at the 47th percentile. It gets the job done for general use, but it's not going to win any awards for speed or tracking fast action.

At around $340, this lens sits in a sweet spot. It's more expensive than a basic kit lens, but you're paying for that massive zoom range and solid stabilization. It's a fantastic value if you want to carry one lens and be ready for anything. If your budget is tighter, sticking with the 18-55mm kit lens works, but you'll miss the reach. If you have more to spend, you might look at a constant-aperture zoom or a set of primes for better quality.

This lens is all about range, so it's competing against other 'superzooms' and prime lenses that do one thing really well. Compared to a prime like the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7, you lose a ton of light-gathering ability and that nice blurry background (bokeh), but you gain the ability to zoom. The Viltrox is better for portraits and low light, but you're stuck at one focal length. Against something like the Meike 55mm F1.8, it's a similar story: the Meike will be sharper and better in dim settings, but you can't zoom with it. For a Canon shooter who wants one lens on the camera all day, the 18-135mm is still the most practical choice.

So, should you buy it? If you're a Canon APS-C shooter who hates swapping lenses and wants a single, lightweight option for travel, family events, or everyday photography, this is a no-brainer. It's the ultimate convenience lens. But, if you find yourself shooting in low light a lot, or you really want creamy background blur for portraits, you'll feel the limits of the variable aperture. In that case, pick up a fast prime like a 50mm f/1.8 to pair with it, or consider a different path altogether. For what it's designed to do, it's excellent.