Canon releases tiny 40mm pancake lens and compact 18-135mm zoom

Canon has thrown down two shiny new lens for their APS-C DSLRs, in the shape of a  EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM zoom lens and a super compact EF 40mm F2.8 STM compact lens.

Both lenses pack new stepper motors (STM), which promise snappy, continuous focus when recording moving subjects, as well as an intelligent optical Image Stabiliser which claims a 4-stop advantage over non-IS models.

The Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens is priced at £479.99/ ($549.99/€569.99) and comes with quiet STM focusing when shooting movies on compatible cameras and a minimum focusing distance of 0.39m

The £229.99 ($199.99/€279.99)  EF 40mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens also packs STM focusing, a nippy f/2.8 maximum aperture and close focus to 0.3m.

Both lenses will be available from late June 2012. Here’s the press gubbins:

Canon Press Release

Compact, versatile and powerful – introducing the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM and EF 40mm f/2.8 STM

United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, 8th June 2012 – Canon UK & Ireland today unveils two new compact, lightweight lenses – the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM and EF 40mm f/2.8 STM. Showcasing a number of new features, including continuous autofocus in Movie mode, both models offer superior image quality and enhanced flexibility to enable photographers of all skill levels to capture both stills and movies of practically any subject.

Fast, accurate autofocus for film-makers and photographers
As well as offering full-time manual focus controls when shooting stills, the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM and EF 40mm f/2.8 STM are both also ideal for aspiring movie makers, allowing them to focus more accurately during shooting. The perfect companion lenses to the new EOS 650D, both models feature new stepper motor technology (STM), enabling fast, continuous focus when recording moving subjects – ensuring movies will be smoother and clearer than ever before.

Offering enhanced AF performance with high-speed, high-precision focusing, the two new lenses make it easy for photographers to capture more spontaneous shots, with exceptional detail and clarity. This is particularly useful for documentary, action or travel photography. With a minimum focusing distance of 0.39m and 0.3m respectively, the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM and EF 40mm f/2.8 STM allow you to get even closer to the action whilst keeping the subject in perfect focus.

EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM – versatile, high-performance zoom
Offering a focal range of 18–135mm, the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM has been created to offer photographers a compact, versatile zoom lens which can be used to capture a variety of subjects, from portraits to landscapes and action shots. Ensuring high-quality stills at slow shutter speeds, the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM features an intelligent optical Image Stabilizer which offers a 4-stop advantage over non-IS models. The lens will also sense whether the photographer is shooting normally or panning, engaging the most appropriate IS mode to capture the best possible image. When shooting movies, Dynamic IS automatically engages, countering any shake caused by the videographer’s movement to produce smooth, stable footage.

For subtle background blur when exploring shallow depths of field in stills and movies, the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM features a circular aperture with an Electro Magnetic Diaphragm (EMD) which permits highly-accurate control over aperture settings. High image quality is also assured throughout the zoom range thanks to four groups of lens elements including one Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) and one Precision Molded Optics (PMo) element to counter chromatic aberration. Canon’s optimised Super spectra coatings on each lens element also reduce ghosting and flare, ensuring images require minimal post-processing.

EF 40mm f/2.8 STM – super-slim, high image quality
The EF 40mm f/2.8 STM is Canon’s first EF pancake lens with a fixed focal length of 40mm and wide f/2.8 aperture, making it ideal for photographers who want a versatile, compact and lightweight lens for portrait, reportage, travel or landscape situations. Precision control over the circular, seven-blade aperture is enabled by the EMD, producing a beautiful bokeh effect and an aspheric lens with Super spectra coatings ensures optimal image quality from the centre of the lens to the periphery for stunning shots of practically any subject.

EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM – key features

• Versatile 18-135mm zoom range – perfect for travel
• Smooth, quiet STM focusing when shooting movies on compatible cameras
• Dynamic Image Stabilizer for smooth movie footage
• Fast autofocus with full-time manual override
• Minimum focusing distance of 0.39m

EF 40mm f/2.8 STM – key features

• Portable pancake design
• Smooth, quiet STM focusing when shooting movies on compatible cameras
• Fast f/2.8 maximum aperture for low-light shooting
• Close focus to 0.3m
• Fast, quiet AF for pin-sharp results
• Great image quality right across the frame

Pricing and Availability
The EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM is available from July 2012, priced at £479.99/€569.99 RRP incl. VAT.

[Via]