Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
Tamron Di III 50-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
What Buyers Say
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 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 Di III 50-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
Users are overwhelmingly positive about this Tamron 50-300mm lens, praising its versatility, sharpness, and lightweight design. It is seen as a great value for travel and outdoor photography, with impressive macro capability and fast autofocus. A few minor complaints include a non-smooth focus ring and limited aperture in low light, but these are considered acceptable for the price.
Pros
- Versatile zoom range
- Lightweight design
- Sharp image quality
- Fast autofocus
- Impressive macro capability
Cons
- Non-smooth focus ring
- Limited aperture in low light
- Not compatible with teleconverters
Scores
Specifications
| Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM | Tamron Di III 50-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 55 mm | 50 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 250 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 19 |
| Groups | 12 | 14 |
| Aspherical Elements | 0★ | — |
| ED Elements | 1 | 4★ |
| Coating | Super Spectra coating | Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | 22-32★ |
| Min Aperture | 4-5.6 | 4.5-6.3 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.38 kg★ | 0.67 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM | VXD Linear Motor★ |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 850 mm | 221 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x | 1:2★ |
Pros & Cons
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong versatility (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Below average macro (31st percentile)
Tamron Di III 50-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong versatility (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong optical (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong stabilization (79th percentile)
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average bokeh (25th percentile)
Pricing
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
No current pricing available
Tamron Di III 50-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
Verdict
Scores 86 overall, wins 5 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 22 specs.
