Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
Canon
66 Overall Score
vs
Viltrox Air 20mm F2.8 FE 20mm
Viltrox
87 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
Viltrox Air 20mm F2.8 FE 20mm
No customer feedback yet
Scores
Street
Macro
Portrait
Budget
Video Cinema
Travel
Professional
Landscape
Wildlife Sports
Specifications
| Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II | Viltrox Air 20mm F2.8 FE 20mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | wide-angle |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 20 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 55 mm | 20 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 10 |
| Groups | 12 | 8 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 2★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 2★ |
| Coating | optimized lens coatings | multi-layer nano-MC coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/5.6 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | — |
| Diaphragm Blades | 6 | 7★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | — |
| Weight | 0.20 kg | 0.16 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 52 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Gear-driven | STM★ |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 55 mm | 20 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.34x★ | 0.17X |
Pros & Cons
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
- Strong stabilization (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong macro (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong build (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong versatility (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
- Below average user sentiment (8th percentile)8th %ile
- Below average bokeh (14th percentile)14th %ile
- Below average aperture (21st percentile)
Viltrox Air 20mm F2.8 FE 20mm
- Strong macro (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong build (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Strong aperture (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
Pricing
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
Viltrox Air 20mm F2.8 FE 20mm
No current pricing available
Verdict
Winner: Viltrox Air 20mm F2.8 FE 20mm
Scores 87 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 7 of 22 specs.
