Unleash Your Creativity: Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM vs Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro

Choosing the right camera and lens combination can be a daunting task, especially when navigating the vast landscape of Canon’s offerings. Two popular choices often come up in discussions: the Canon EOS 70D paired with the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens, and the Canon EOS R paired with the RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro lens. Both setups cater to different needs and preferences, and understanding their strengths and weaknesses is crucial for making an informed decision. This blog post will delve into a detailed comparison of these two camera and lens combinations, exploring their features, performance, and suitability for various photography genres.

The Canon EOS 70D and EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM: A Versatile All-Rounder

The Canon EOS 70D is a well-established DSLR camera known for its impressive image quality, user-friendly interface, and versatile feature set. Paired with the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM, this combination offers a wide range of focal lengths, making it ideal for capturing diverse subjects.
Strengths:

• Versatile Zoom Lens: The EF-S 18-135mm lens provides a broad range of focal lengths, allowing you to shoot everything from wide landscapes to close-up portraits. This eliminates the need for multiple lenses, making it a convenient choice for travel and everyday photography.
• Image Stabilization: The lens’s built-in image stabilization helps reduce camera shake, resulting in sharper images, especially in low light or when shooting handheld.
• Affordable Price: The EOS 70D and the EF-S 18-135mm lens are relatively affordable compared to higher-end cameras and lenses, making them an attractive option for budget-conscious photographers.
• Reliable Performance: The EOS 70D is known for its reliable performance, delivering consistent results in various shooting scenarios.
• DSLR Features: The EOS 70D offers traditional DSLR features like an optical viewfinder, a comfortable grip, and a vast selection of compatible lenses.

Weaknesses:

• Limited Low Light Performance: The lens’s maximum aperture of f/3.5-5.6 limits its low light performance, resulting in higher noise levels and a need for faster shutter speeds.
• Autofocus Speed: While the lens features STM technology for smooth and silent autofocus, it can be slightly slower than some other lenses, especially in fast-paced action photography.
• Limited Macro Capabilities: The lens lacks dedicated macro capabilities, making it less suitable for shooting close-up details.

The Canon EOS R and RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro: A Modern Mirrorless Solution

The Canon EOS R is a mirrorless camera that boasts advanced features, exceptional image quality, and a compact design. Paired with the RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro lens, this setup offers a fast aperture, excellent sharpness, and macro capabilities, making it a versatile choice for various photography genres.
Strengths:

• Fast Aperture: The RF 35mm f/1.8 lens’s wide maximum aperture allows for shallow depth of field, creating beautiful bokeh effects and enhancing low light performance.
• Sharp Image Quality: The lens is known for its exceptional sharpness and detail rendition, delivering stunning images even at wide apertures.
• Macro Capabilities: The lens’s macro capabilities allow you to capture intricate details of small objects, making it ideal for close-up photography.
• Lightweight and Compact: The EOS R and the RF 35mm lens are compact and lightweight, making them easy to carry and use on the go.
• Advanced Features: The EOS R offers advanced features like in-body image stabilization, 4K video recording, and a touch-sensitive screen, making it a powerful tool for photographers and videographers.

Weaknesses:

• Limited Zoom Range: The fixed focal length of the RF 35mm lens restricts its versatility, requiring you to move closer or further away to adjust the framing.
• Higher Price: The EOS R and the RF 35mm lens are more expensive than the EOS 70D and the EF-S 18-135mm lens, making them a more significant investment.
• Limited Lens Selection: The RF lens system is still relatively new, offering a smaller selection of lenses compared to the EF system.

Choosing the Right Setup for Your Needs

The choice between the Canon EOS 70D with EF-S 18-135mm and the Canon EOS R with RF 35mm ultimately depends on your individual needs and preferences. Here’s a breakdown of scenarios where each setup excels:
Canon EOS 70D with EF-S 18-135mm:

• Travel Photography: The versatile zoom lens covers a wide range of focal lengths, making it convenient for capturing various subjects while traveling.
• Everyday Photography: The affordable price and user-friendly interface make it a great option for everyday photography, capturing family memories, landscapes, and portraits.
• Beginner Photographers: The EOS 70D’s familiar DSLR features and user-friendly interface make it an excellent choice for beginners learning the fundamentals of photography.

Canon EOS R with RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro:

• Street Photography: The fast aperture and compact size make it ideal for capturing candid moments on the street, creating stunning images with shallow depth of field.
• Portrait Photography: The lens’s fast aperture and excellent sharpness deliver beautiful portraits with soft backgrounds.
• Macro Photography: The lens’s macro capabilities allow you to capture intricate details of small objects, such as insects, flowers, and jewelry.
• Low Light Photography: The fast aperture improves low light performance, allowing you to capture images with less noise and faster shutter speeds.

Exploring the Future of Canon’s Systems

Both the EOS 70D and the EOS R are excellent cameras, but they represent different approaches to photography. The EOS 70D is a reliable and versatile DSLR, while the EOS R is a modern mirrorless camera with advanced features and a compact design.
Canon is constantly innovating and expanding its lens systems. The EF-S lens system offers a wide range of choices, while the RF lens system is growing rapidly with new and exciting options. As technology advances, we can expect to see even more impressive cameras and lenses from Canon, further blurring the lines between these two systems.

The Verdict: A Matter of Personal Preference

Ultimately, the best camera and lens combination for you depends on your individual needs, preferences, and budget. Consider your photography style, the subjects you typically shoot, and the features you prioritize. The Canon EOS 70D with EF-S 18-135mm is a versatile and affordable all-rounder, while the Canon EOS R with RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro offers exceptional image quality, fast aperture, and macro capabilities. Both setups have their strengths and weaknesses, and choosing the right one is a matter of personal preference.

Quick Answers to Your FAQs

Q: Which camera offers better image quality?
A: Both cameras offer excellent image quality, but the Canon EOS R generally produces slightly better results, especially in low light.
Q: Which camera is better for video recording?
A: The Canon EOS R excels in video recording, offering 4K resolution and advanced video features.
Q: Which camera is more compact and portable?
A: The Canon EOS R and the RF 35mm lens are significantly more compact and portable than the Canon EOS 70D and the EF-S 18-135mm lens.
Q: Which camera system has a wider lens selection?
A: The Canon EF lens system offers a wider selection of lenses compared to the Canon RF lens system. However, the RF lens system is rapidly expanding with new and innovative options.
Q: Which camera is better for beginners?
A: The Canon EOS 70D with EF-S 18-135mm is a more beginner-friendly option due to its familiar DSLR features and user-friendly interface.