On 18 February 2016, Canon announced the EF‒S18‒135mm f/3.5‒5.6 IS USM lens. It is the first ever lens by Canon to utilize Nano USM—a new type of ultrasonic motor—to drive its autofocus (AF). (Reported by: Koji Orimoto (Digital Camera Watch))

A new standard zoom lens that is a perfect match for EOS cameras with APS-C sensors

The EF‒S18‒135mm f/3.5‒5.6 IS USM is the latest addition to the EF-S lens lineup, which consists of lens compatible with DSLRs with APS-C size sensors such as the EOS 7D Mark II, EOS 80D and EOS 8000D.

Not only is the Nano USM (ultrasonic motor) that powers its AF designed to be even smaller than other AF driving motors to date, it is also said to combine the benefits of both ring USM and lead screw-type STM (stepping motor). Ring USM is renowned for its power and ability to carry out speedy AF whereas lead screw-type STM is excellent where it comes to carrying out smooth, silent operations. Nano USM therefore apparently combines both qualities, and is capable of not only quiet and seamless but also speedy AF.

The new lens shares the same optics design as the EF‒S18‒135mm f/3.5‒5.6 IS STM. It has a minimum focusing distance of 0.39m, an image stabilization effect of approximately 4 stops, external dimensions (maximum diameter × total length) of 77.4 × 96mm, a filter size of 67mm diameter, and a weight of approx. 515g. The hood is sold separately.

Hood EW‒73D (sold separately)

Show off movie-shooting abilities with the Power Zoom Adapter. Control remotely with Camera Connect.

You can attach the EF‒S18‒135mm f/3.5‒5.6 IS USM to the Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1 accessory (optional)  to carry out power (electrically-driven) zooming. As it allows you to zoom at a fixed speed, it is suitable for movie recording.

Remote control operation of the adapter via the Camera Connect smartphone app and EOS Utility is also possible. Thanks to that, you can now carry out zoom operations, including adjustments to the zoom speed, from a distance away.

The Power Zoom Adapter PZ‒E1

Power Zoom Adapter PZ‒E1, with the EF‒S18‒135mm f/3.5‒5.6 IS USM attached