Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM
Tamron SP A025E 70-200mm
What Buyers Say
Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM
The Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens is widely praised for its excellent sharpness, fast and silent autofocus, and lightweight design, making it a fantastic value for amateur photographers and wildlife enthusiasts. Many users highlight the impressive image quality at the long end and the effective image stabilization, though some note softness beyond 200mm and noticeable vignetting at full zoom. A few reviewers experienced quality control issues like blurry images or a non-functional focus ring, but the overwhelming consensus is that this lens delivers outstanding performance for its price point.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness for the price
- Fast and silent STM autofocus
- Lightweight and compact design
- Effective image stabilization
- Great value for money
Cons
- Softness beyond 200mm
- Noticeable vignetting at full zoom
- Plastic build quality
- Electronic manual focus requires camera power
- Slow maximum aperture (f/5.6 at 250mm)
Tamron SP A025E 70-200mm
The Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 G2 is overwhelmingly praised for its sharpness, fast autofocus, and excellent value compared to the Canon equivalent. Users highlight its superb build quality and versatility for sports, portraits, and low-light photography. A minor caveat is that the VC switches can be accidentally bumped during shooting, but this does not detract from the overall positive experience. Most reviewers consider it a no-brainer purchase, saving significant money without sacrificing image quality.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Excellent value for money
- Superb build quality
- Versatile for sports and portraits
Cons
- VC switches easily bumped accidentally
- Slightly more vignetting than Canon
- Heavy and requires tripod for long use
- Price could be lower in some markets
Scores
Specifications
| Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM | Tamron SP A025E 70-200mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | telephoto | telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 55 mm | 70 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 250 mm | 200 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 23 |
| Groups | 12 | 17 |
| Aspherical Elements | 0★ | — |
| ED Elements | 1★ | — |
| Coating | Super Spectra coating | eBAND Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | 4-5.6 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Canon EF |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.38 kg★ | 2.10 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 77 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM★ | USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops | 5 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 250 mm★ | 950 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x | 1:6.1★ |
Pros & Cons
Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM
- Strong stabilization (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong versatility (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong social proof (81st percentile)81st %ile
Tamron SP A025E 70-200mm
- Strong stabilization (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong af (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong optical (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Below average build (12th percentile)12th %ile
Verdict
Both products are closely matched - Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM wins 5 specs while Tamron SP A025E 70-200mm wins 6.