Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II

Canon
77 Overall Score
vs
Retropia Fujifilm X-Mount Compatible 32mm

Retropia Fujifilm X-Mount Compatible 32mm

Retropia
45 Overall Score

What Buyers Say

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II

65 out of 100 high confidence 129 reviews

This kit lens is a decent entry-level option for beginners learning DSLR photography, offering good image quality and image stabilization at a low price. However, many users report that the autofocus is slow and unreliable in low light, and the build quality feels cheap and prone to breaking after several months. While it serves well as a starter lens, most reviewers recommend upgrading to a faster or better-built lens as skills improve.

Pros
  • Good image quality for the price
  • Effective image stabilization
  • Lightweight and compact design
  • Versatile focal range for everyday use
  • Great starter lens for beginners
Cons
  • Slow and unreliable autofocus in low light
  • Cheap plastic build quality
  • Autofocus motor noise in video
  • Soft image quality at telephoto end
  • Limited maximum aperture (f/5.6 at 55mm)
👍 Image quality 35
👎 Autofocus performance 28
👎 Build quality 20
👍 Image stabilization 15
👍 Value for money 18
👎 Low light performance 12

Retropia Fujifilm X-Mount Compatible 32mm

45 out of 100 low confidence 9 reviews

This lens is a fun, low-cost toy for creating vintage-looking photos, but it has serious quality and compatibility issues. Many users praise its unique color effects and lightweight build, but a significant number report it simply doesn't work or fails to meet advertised expectations. The lack of autofocus, problematic purple vignetting, and missing parts for the Oreo-style design are common complaints. It's best suited for casual experimentation with realistic expectations.

Pros
  • Unique vintage color effects
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Fun for casual photography
  • Low price point
  • Good build quality for toy lens
Cons
  • Incompatibility with some camera modes
  • Purple vignetting can be overwhelming
  • Missing advertised parts (Oreo design)
  • No autofocus or manual focus
  • Some units non-functional (completely opaque)
🤔 Image quality 7
🤔 Build quality 4
🤔 Value for money 5
👎 Compatibility 3
👎 Vignetting 2
👎 Advertising accuracy 4

Scores

Budget
Canon
88
Retropia
49
Street
Canon
83
Retropia
49
Travel
Canon
80
Retropia
47
Portrait
Canon
75
Retropia
45
Landscape
Canon
74
Retropia
35
Macro
Canon
73
Retropia
38
Video Cinema
Canon
72
Retropia
49
Professional
Canon
63
Retropia
41
Wildlife Sports
Canon
63
Retropia
35

Specifications

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS IIRetropia Fujifilm X-Mount Compatible 32mm
Optics
Typezoomprime
Focal Length Min18 mm32 mm
Focal Length Max55 mm32 mm
Elements11—
Groups9—
Aspherical Elements1★—
ED Elements1★—
CoatingSuper Spectra coating—
Aperture
Max Aperturef/3.5f/11
Min Aperture3.5-5.6f/11
Constant✗✓★
Diaphragm Blades6★—
Build
MountCanon EF-SCanon RF
FormatAPS-C★micro-four-thirds
Weather Sealed✗—
Weight0.20 kg0.05 kg★
Filter Thread58 mm—
AF & Stabilization
AF TypeMicro Motormanual focus only
Stabilization✓✓
Stabilization Stops4 stops★—
Focus
Min Focus Distance250 mm★1.50 m
Max Magnification0.34x★—

Pros & Cons

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II

  • Strong stabilization (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
  • Strong build (85th percentile)85th %ile
  • Strong versatility (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
  • Strong social proof (81st percentile)81st %ile
  • Below average user sentiment (8th percentile)8th %ile

Retropia Fujifilm X-Mount Compatible 32mm

  • Strong build (100th percentile)100th %ile
  • Strong stabilization (81st percentile)81st %ile
  • Below average user sentiment (2nd percentile)2nd %ile
  • Below average af (14th percentile)14th %ile
  • Below average optical (19th percentile)19th %ile
  • Below average versatility (34th percentile)

Verdict

★ Winner: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II

Scores 77 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 7 of 22 specs.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Better at:

MacroBudgetStreetTravelPortraitLandscapeProfessionalVideo CinemaWildlife Sports