Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM vs Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Side-by-side comparison from our catalogue data. Better values are highlighted only where a clear difference exists.

Canon

EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

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Canon

EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

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Verdict at a glance

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM is faster by 0.6 stops (f/2.8 vs f/3.5), letting in more light.
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM is lighter by 70g.
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM goes wider (15mm vs 17mm).
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM reaches further (85mm vs 55mm).
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM is the newer design (2009 vs 2006).

Specification comparison
Spec	EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM	EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Brand	Canon	Canon
Mount	Canon EF-S	Canon EF-S
Type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length	15-85mm (wider)	17-55mm
Max aperture	f/3.5	f/2.8 (faster)
Released	2009	2006
Blades	7	7
Format	aps-c	aps-c
Groups	12	12
Af motor	USM	USM
Elements	17	19
Weight g	575.0 (lighter)	645.0
Filter mm	72	77
Length mm	87.5	110.6
Stabilized	Yes	Yes
Diameter mm	81.6	83.5
Min focus m	0.35	0.35
Max magnification	0.21	0.17

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

A standard zoom for Canon APS-C cameras with a wide 24-136mm equivalent range, combining USM focusing with image stabilization.

Pros

Starts wide at 15mm
Image stabilization
USM focusing
Good image quality for a zoom

Cons

Variable aperture
Larger than an 18-55
Not weather-sealed

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

A constant-aperture standard zoom for Canon APS-C cameras with stabilization and USM focusing. Often seen as the APS-C counterpart of a 24-70mm f/2.8.

Pros

Constant f/2.8
Image stabilization
USM autofocus
Sharp, with good contrast

Cons

Not weather-sealed
Large for an APS-C lens (645 g)
APS-C only

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