Glossary of over 1000 photography terms
USM (Canon)
Canon's ultrasonic focus motor technology.
The original version was ring-type USM where the motor is in a ring around the lens, and this is still used in large professional lenses.
Micro USM has a smaller ultrasonic motor which moves the lens elements using a gear system and Nano USM is even smaller, using a linear motor to drive the lens elements back and forth.
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