Canon EF 100mm F/2 USM vs Canon EF 135mm F/2L USM — Which Is Better?
Side by side37 specifications |
Canon · f/2 · Canon EF mount
Canon EF 100mm F/2 USM
51
SCORE
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Canon · f/2 · Canon EF mount
Canon EF 135mm F/2L USM
61
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EF 135mm F/2L USM is the longer telephoto prime here, released in 1996 with Canon's L designation, while the Canon EF 100mm F/2 USM from 1991 is the shorter, lighter option. Both are full frame primes on the Canon EF mount, so either attaches directly to the same Canon EOS bodies. | ||
| Release Year | 1991 | 1996 |
Production Status ⓘCurrent status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued). |
 Discontinued |  In Production |
Pro Branding ⓘSpecific branding codes used for professional-tier lenses. |
N/A | L |
Lens Mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF | Canon EF |
System ⓘIndicates which camera system the lens is designed to attach to. |
Canon EOS | Canon EOS |
Maximum Format ⓘLargest sensor size compatible with the lens. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
| Physical | 43/100 | 78/100 |
Read the Physical ComparisonPhysicalThe Canon EF 100mm F/2 USM is the lighter, more compact carry: 460 g and 74 mm long against 750 g and 112 mm for the EF 135mm F/2L USM. That 290 g saving makes it the smaller lens for a day of walking or travel. Both accept front filters, but at different direct fit sizes: 58mm for the 100mm and 72mm for the 135mm. If you already own one size, that lens shares your polarisers and ND filters without an adapter. | ||
| Lens Weight | 460 g | 750 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
75 mm | 83 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
74 mm | 112 mm |
Front Filter Compatible ⓘSome lenses are compatible with front filters, some are compatible with back filters and some are compatible with both. Front filters are usually more convenient to add and remove. |
 Yes | Yes |
Front Filter Size ⓘDiameter of attachable filters. |
58 mm | 72 mm |
| Optics | 80/100 | 80/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe EF 135mm F/2L USM gives more working distance for tight headshots, stage work and indoor sports, with 35mm of extra focal length over the 100mm. Both primes open to f/2, so the 135mm keeps that bright aperture for shallow depth of field at its longer reach. Their closest focusing distances match at 90 cm, but the 135mm records the higher maximum magnification at 0.19x against 0.14x, so small subjects fill more of the frame. Both offer autofocus with a manual focusing ring, and both use eight diaphragm blades. | ||
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) |
100 mm | 135 mm |
Aperture Range ⓘLargest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end) |
2 | 2 |
| Focal Length Angle of View | 24.415582858783463° | 18.21° |
Flange Focal Distance ⓘDistance from lens mount to sensor. |
44 mm | 44 mm |
Diaphragm Type ⓘStructure and design of the aperture |
 Automatic | Automatic |
Blades ⓘNumber of diaphragm blades in aperture |
8020 | 8020 |
Zoom Lens ⓘZoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups |
✗ | ✗ |
Closest Focusing Distance ⓘMinimum distance for a subject to be in focus. |
90 cm01500 | 90 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced |
0.14x | 0.19x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | Unscored | 19/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesTeleconverter support belongs to the EF 135mm F/2L USM, since the EF 100mm F/2 USM is not teleconverter compatible. A converter extends its reach for field sports and wildlife without a second long lens. Neither lens offers image stabilization, so handheld work relies on fast shutter speeds or higher ISO. Neither is weather sealed, which matters if you shoot often in dust or rain. | ||
Weather Sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
Fluorine Coating ⓘCoating to repel water and oil from lens elements. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Built In Lens Hood | ✗ | ✗ |
| Lens Hood Type |  Round | Round |
Teleconverter ⓘA teleconverter (extender) is an extra piece of equipment that fits between the lens and the camera body to enhance magnification |
No |  Yes |
| Image Stabilization | ✗ | ✗ |
| Construction | 23/100 | 15/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionThe EF 135mm F/2L USM uses a larger 10 element, 8 group design with one low dispersion element to help control chromatic aberration. The EF 100mm F/2 USM keeps a simpler 8 element, 6 group construction with no low dispersion glass. The 100mm has internal focusing, so its barrel does not extend as you focus, which helps when shooting near a subject. The 135mm instead extends its barrel while focusing. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
8 | 10 |
| Groups | 6 | 8 |
Aspherical Elements ⓘThe number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration. |
0 | 0 |
Bi Aspherical Elements ⓘElements with two non-spherical surfaces |
0 | 0 |
Low Dispersion ⓘElements that reduce chromatic aberration |
0 | 1 |
Super Low Dispersion ⓘAdvanced elements further reducing chromatic aberration |
0 | 0 |
CA Reduction ⓘBuilt-in features to reduce chromatic aberration |
0 | 0 |
Internal Focusing ⓘInternal Focusing means that the lens does not change in size during focusing, and the front element does not rotate. |
 Yes | No |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EF 135mm F/2L USM when you need distance: stage and court work, candid portraits from across a room, and teleconverter support for extra reach. Its low dispersion glass and 0.19x magnification back up that role.
Choose the Canon EF 100mm F/2 USM when you carry the lens all day, work in tighter spaces, or already own 58mm filters. It matches the f/2 aperture and 90 cm close focus in a body 290 g lighter, and neither lens stabilises the image.