Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens
The Canon 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM is a 15–85mm f/3.5 lens designed for Canon EF mount cameras. Used copies start from $211.82 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens
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Lens Overview — Canon 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Key Features — Canon 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
15-85mm Zoom Range: Equivalent to approximately 24-136mm on full-frame, covering wide-angle landscapes through short telephoto portraits in a single lens.
Canon EF-S Mount: Designed exclusively for APS-C Canon DSLRs, ensuring optimized image circle and performance on bodies like the 7D and 90D series.
Optical Image Stabilization: Canon's IS system provides shake correction to help maintain sharp handheld shots, especially at longer focal lengths or in low light.
Ring-Type USM Autofocus: Ultrasonic motor delivers fast, quiet autofocus with full-time manual focus override without switching modes.
f/3.5 Maximum Aperture: Widest aperture available at 15mm provides reasonable light-gathering for a variable-aperture zoom of this range.
72mm Filter Thread: A widely used filter size that makes it straightforward to use polarizers, ND filters, and other common accessories.
Lens Specifications — Canon 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Portrait, Landscape, Travel, Real Estate |
| Lens Type | Zoom |
| Format | APS-C |
| Zoom/Prime | Zoom |
| Focal Length | 15–85mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/3.5 |
| Camera System | DSLR |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Focus Type | Auto, Manual |
| Image Stabilization | Optical |
| Filter Thread | 72mm |
Description — Canon 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
The Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM is a zoom lens engineered for APS-C format Canon DSLR cameras, mounted via the Canon EF lens mount. Its focal length range of 15mm to 85mm spans wide-angle through short telephoto, making it a go-to option for photographers who prefer carrying one lens across varied shooting conditions. The maximum aperture of f/3.5 at the wide end provides solid light-gathering ability for a variable-aperture zoom.
Built-in optical image stabilization helps counteract camera shake, particularly valuable when shooting handheld at longer focal lengths. The lens supports both autofocus and manual focus, giving shooters control over how they acquire focus. A 72mm filter thread makes filter compatibility straightforward.
At 575g, the lens has a substantial build that matches its wide zoom coverage. Whether you're shooting landscapes at 15mm or tighter compositions toward 85mm, this lens offers an adaptable focal range within a single package for Canon APS-C DSLR users.
Pros — Canon 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
- ✓Wide focal length range of 15mm to 85mm covers wide-angle through short telephoto in a single lens
- ✓Optical image stabilization helps reduce camera shake during handheld shooting
- ✓Supports both autofocus and manual focus operation for shooting flexibility
Cons — Canon 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
- ✗Variable maximum aperture (f/3.5-5.6) means light intake narrows as you zoom toward 85mm
- ✗At 575g, the lens carries meaningful weight for everyday carry situations
- ✗APS-C-only format limits use to compatible Canon EF-mount APS-C DSLRs and cannot be used on full-frame bodies without vignetting
Reviews — Canon 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
- Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM review
Digital Camera World · 2020-01-01 - Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens Review
Imaging Resource · 2020-01-01 - Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Review
ePHOTOzine · 2020-01-01 - Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens review (with samples)
Christopher Frost - Canon 15-85mm IS USM Lens - Why ISN'T This Lens Recommended?
ArtoftheImage
Videos — Canon 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF-S 15-85mm lens review — Gordon Laing









