Canon EF-S 15-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM § 03 Head to head
Canon EF-S 15-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM vs Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6
Canon 15–85mm f/3.5-5.6 has a wider field of view. Tokina 16.5–135mm f/3.5-5.6 has a longer reach.
The Canon EF-S 15-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM is a 15–85mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom, and the Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 is a 16.5–135mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom. On paper the Canon EF-S 15-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Canon EF-S 15-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM 
Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 01
Key differences
Why is the Canon EF-S 15-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM better than the Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6?
- Wider field of view (15mm vs 16.5mm)
- 35 g lighter (575 g vs 610 g)
- Focuses 15 cm closer (0.35 m vs 0.5 m)
- Smaller filter thread (72 mm vs 77 mm)
Why is the Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 better than the Canon EF-S 15-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM?
- Longer reach (135mm vs 85mm)
- 10 mm shorter (78 mm vs 87.5 mm long)
- More aperture blades (9 vs 7)
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Canon EF-S 15-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM has the edge: it goes wider, to 15mm against 16.5mm.
- architecture For architecture, the Canon EF-S 15-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM has the edge: it goes wider, to 15mm against 16.5mm.
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Specification
| Specification | Canon EF-S 15-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM | Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 15–85mm | 16.5–135mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.5-5.6 | f/3.5-5.6 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22-36 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Zoom lens | Zoom lens |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weight | 575 g (20.28 oz) ◆ | 610 g (21.52 oz) |
| Dimensions | 81.6 x 87.5 mm | 84 x 78 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.35 m (13.78 inches) ◆ | 0.5 m (19.69 inches) |
| Image stabilization | Yes | — |
| Aperture blades | 7 | 9 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 17 elements / 12 groups | 15 elements in 12 groups |
| Filter size | 72 mm ◆ | 77 mm |
| Lens mount | Canon EF-S | Nikon F, Canon EF-S |
| Released | 2009 | 2009 |
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Size
- A · Canon
- B · Tokina
- 87.5 × 81.6 mm
- 78 × 84 mm
The Canon EF-S 15-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM is 10 mm longer and 35 g lighter than the Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6.
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Sample frames
Canon EF-S 15-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Canon EF-S 15-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM or the Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6?
- The Canon EF-S 15-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM weighs 575 g, 35 g less than the Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 (610 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Canon EF-S 15-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM or the Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6?
- The Canon EF-S 15-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM focuses down to 0.35 m, against 0.5 m for the Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6.
- Is the Canon EF-S 15-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM or the Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Canon EF-S 15-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM has the edge: it goes wider, to 15mm against 16.5mm.
- Is the Canon EF-S 15-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM or the Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Canon EF-S 15-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM has the edge: it goes wider, to 15mm against 16.5mm.
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