Canon 's camera lens is more popular with photographers, but buying a new camera lens may be confusing. You need to understand the focal length, aperture, zoom and fixed focus, and then you will also see USM and STM lenses. However, not all photographers are very familiar with the difference between USM and STM. Let's introduce their differences below so that you can make a suggestion when purchasing lenses.
1. What are USM and STM lenses?
USM stands for ultrasonic motor , STM stands for stepper motor, and STM and USM lenses work in different ways. Different features mean photographers prefer USM or STM lenses for different projects, and there is also a difference in prices between the two lens types.
If you haven't seen Canon lenses from USM or STM, it doesn't matter, just know that they are a direct drive motor for autofocus in Canon lenses, this motor can be found in older or more economical lenses, but they are still a good system feature.
2. What is a USM lens?
USM represents ultrasonic motor. USM lenses use ultrasonic motors to drive autofocus, USM lenses have become the most common lens in the Canon lens catalog, and most newer EF mount lenses are Canon USM lenses.
USM lens uses energy from ultrasonic vibration to rotate the focus ring in the lens, which can increase the focus speed. While USM lenses are more expensive, DC motor lenses have significant advantages. USM autofocus systems focus faster, and while not silent, they are quieter than DC lenses.
USM lenses have the fastest autofocus in any system in the Canon series. They can find focus in a fraction of a second, which is why they are popular among professional photographers.
There are three types of USM lenses. There are ring USM, Micro USM and Nano USM. They are three technically distinct autofocus systems, but most photographers don't need to know the details.
3. What is an STM lens?
The STM lens motor uses gears to rotate the focus elements and rings, and the stepper motor rotates in a fixed step length, stopping after each movement. Despite the gear system, the Canon STM autofocus system is smooth and has little sound.
Canon has specially developed STM lenses for cameramen. DC or ultrasonic motors will make noise when focusing or tracking, and the microphone will pick up noise and destroy the audio when recording.
The first Canon STM lens uses helical gear to drive the autofocus system. This is not a fast STM focus motor, but it does not take up much space in the lens body, which means that geared STM Canon lenses tend to be light and compact.
The second STM lens has a lead-screw STM motor. It is the larger of two STM lenses, so this type of STM lens tends to be bigger and heavier. But the lead screw STM lenses focus faster and even quieter than geared STM systems, these Canon lenses give you nearly silent focus.
A major flaw in the STM lens system is the lack of manual focus . When STM autofocus is working, it cannot be covered by manually turning the focus ring, and you must wait for it to stop and switch to manual focus.
4. Canon USM and STM: Which lens is best for you?
When talking about Canon STM and USM, there are several things to consider. Both types of Canon lenses have their pros and cons, and most of the debate between STM and USM depends on your needs.
USM lens is the most common lens in the Canon EF bayonet series. They are fast and accurate compared to Canon DC and STM lenses, and no other AF motor system can provide you with this level of performance. The ring USM lenses are very popular, but there is a lot of demand in Nano USM.
USM lenses are popular with photographers who need fast focus speeds, including motion and action photographers, bird photographers and street photographers, which also allow for more manual control than the Canon STM lens system.
Canon STM lenses are developed for cameramen. Microphones can receive loud AF systems sound, so they require a quiet AF motor that is almost silent when focusing and tracking, especially the lead screw STM lens.
STM lenses are also very popular with wildlife photographers. Silent motors keep them from being noticed in the bushes. Some sports photographers also need to keep quiet during shooting to avoid disturbing athletes.
STM lenses are more budget-friendly. Professional videographers will use STM lenses for quiet operation, and while STM lenses are more popular among amateur photographers, many professionals still use STM lenses because they allow for silent shooting and smooth tracking.
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