Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
Tamron Di III 150-500mm f/5-6.7 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 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
The Tamron 150-500mm lens is widely praised for its sharpness, fast autofocus, and excellent value compared to native telephoto zooms. Many users appreciate the extra reach and image quality, though the weight is a common concern, especially for handheld use. Some reviewers note trade-offs in low-light performance and stabilization, and a few report compatibility issues with teleconverters or defective copies.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Great value for money
- Extra reach over 100-400mm
- Effective image stabilization (VC)
Cons
- Heavy for handheld use
- Average low-light performance
- Stabilization not as good as native lenses
- No teleconverter compatibility
- Some copies may be defective
Scores
Specifications
| Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM | Tamron Di III 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | super-telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 55 mm | 150 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 250 mm | 500 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 25 |
| Groups | 12 | 16 |
| Aspherical Elements | 0 | 1★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 5★ |
| Coating | Super Spectra coating | fluorine-coated front element |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/5 |
| Min Aperture | 4-5.6 | 5-6.7 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.38 kg★ | 1.73 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 82 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM | VXD linear motor★ |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 850 mm | 500 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x | 1:3.1★ |
Pros & Cons
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 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
- Below average macro (32nd percentile)
Tamron Di III 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
- Strong optical (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong versatility (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Strong stabilization (80th percentile)80th %ile
- Below average build (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average social proof (25th percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (30th percentile)
Pricing
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM offers 5.2x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 80 overall, wins 6 of 9 usage categories and 2 of 22 specs.
