Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
4-ступенева оптична стабілізація та вага лише 200 г роблять цей зум надзвичайно практичним для зйомки з рук. Асферичний елемент і покриття Super Spectra забезпечують чіткість і контрастність, мінімізуючи спотворення та відблиски. Це найкращий вибір для початківців із камерами Canon APS-C, яким потрібна легка та універсальна лінза для повсякденної зйомки.
Огляд
The 30-Second Version
The Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II is a classic kit lens with surprisingly good image stabilization and a versatile focal range. It's sharp enough at the wide end and dirt cheap on the used market, often under USD 110. But the autofocus is slow and unreliable in low light, the plastic build feels fragile, and owners report AF failures after months of use. Buy it as a starter lens, not as an upgrade.
Pros & Cons
Переваги
- Four-stop image stabilization is genuinely excellent for a budget lens, ranking in the top 7% of our database 93rd
- Lightweight at 200g and compact enough to carry all day without noticing 85th
- Versatile 18-55mm range covers wide-angle to short telephoto for everyday shooting 83rd
- Sharp enough at the wide end, with the aspherical element keeping distortion in check 81st
- Dirt cheap on the used market, often under USD 110
Недоліки
- Autofocus is slow and hunts badly in low light, a recurring complaint from owners
- Plastic build feels cheap and the AF motor has a reputation for failing after months of use
- Soft image quality at the 55mm telephoto end
- f/5.6 maximum aperture at 55mm makes indoor and low-light shooting painful
- AF motor noise is audible in video recordings
Думка власників
The Word on the Street
Як змінювалася думка власників із часом
ЕксклюзивНа основі того, коли покупці справді писали відгуки, - щоб побачити, чи виправдалися перші похвали.
- Q1 202672/100
Buyers generally praise the lens for its value, image stabilization, and image quality for the price. A few report mixed experiences with durability and zoom range.
- Image stabilization works well, especially in low light, and is quiet.
- Good value for price; surprisingly good image quality for a kit lens.
- Cheap construction; lightweight plastic body, but some report decent toughness.
- One review indicates the lens worked well only for a limited time before failing.
- Q2 202550/100
Reviews are mixed: some praise the lens as a great starter, while others report autofocus failure and note plastic mounts and missing serial number.
- Works perfectly as a replacement lens and great starter lens.
- Original lens ceased to autofocus, requiring replacement.
- Plastic mounts with limited metal contact raise durability concerns.
- Serial number not printed on lens, only in photo metadata.
- Q4 202250/100
Mixed reviews: some praise fast autofocus and wide zoom, but a serious defect report notes soft focus and field curvature.
- Fast autofocus and wide-angle zoom range praised by satisfied buyers.
- Field curvature causes soft, lifeless focus; center and edge sharpness mismatched.
- Good condition, prompt delivery, and useful image stabilizer noted.
- Enjoyable for serious work, exceptional quality described by users.
- Q4 201450/100
Buyers praised the camera as a great choice and fun to use, but one reviewer strongly criticized the included kit lens for poor build quality and loud noise during video.
- Camera praised as best choice, takes beautiful pictures, and is fun to use.
- Kit lens criticized for cheap build, loud noise, and being useless for video without external mic.
- One buyer happy with camera but disappointed with kit lens, had to buy STM version for video.
- Lens described as nice, though user still learning to use it.
- Q2 201480/100
Buyers praised this lens for versatility in portraits and everyday use, especially for its low weight and value. Some noted it's not the fastest lens but good for the price.
- Versatility for portraits and general photography, often used as a walk-around lens.
- Good value for the price, inexpensive compared to other lenses owned.
- Low weight and compact, ideal for daily or travel use.
- Not the fastest lens, but adequate for standard focal range photography.
- Q1 201432/100
Buyers found this lens lightweight with good compatibility and silent STM autofocus, but many reported soft corners, slow autofocus, and reliability concerns.
- Top corners extremely soft; one reviewer noted it was worse than the old version.
- Autofocus is slow and easily broken; one unit had autofocus failure.
- Silent STM motor praised for video; lightweight and good compatibility with Canon DSLRs.
- Build quality improved over original (tighter focus ring, pinch-type cap) but still feels cheap.
- Q1 201370/100
Q1 2013 buyers find this kit lens a good, versatile starter for learning DSLR, though autofocus hunts and sharpness is soft.
- Great versatile starter lens for learning DSLR photography.
- Autofocus hunts and is slow, especially in low light.
- Sharpness is soft compared to higher-end alternatives.
- Build feels cheap, though expected for kit lens price.
- Q4 201277/100
Buyers found this lens sharp, versatile, and a good value, but noted noisy autofocus for video and a flimsy build.
- Sharp images and good versatility for macro, portraits, and outdoor use.
- Autofocus noise is loud and distracting when recording video.
- Build feels flimsy but delivers decent quality for the low price.
- Auto-focus slow and misses in low light; images not as sharp as preferred.
- Q3 201267/100
Buyers praised the lens as lightweight, sharp, and affordable, though some found the kit lens limited for specific uses like portraits or night shots.
- Lightweight, sharp image quality, and good value for beginners.
- Sharp at 18mm but image quality drops off at 55mm.
- Kit lens not ideal for portraits; some prefer prime lenses instead.
- Limited in low-light situations and durability concerns if dropped.
- Q2 2012100/100
Buyers praised the lens for sharp photos, fast autofocus, and good value. Some noted autofocus hunting in low contrast conditions.
- Sharp, crisp photos and good image quality
- Fast and precise autofocus performance
- Great value and affordable price
- Autofocus may hunt or fail in low contrast scenes
- Q1 201250/100
Buyers praised the lens for indoor shots and value, but reported autofocus failure after a year and poor photo quality.
- Great for indoor shots and good value for personal photography.
- Autofocus stopped working after a year; build quality concerns.
- Disappointed with photo quality; suggests buying a different lens instead.
- Good image quality initially, but reliability issues over time.
- Q4 201170/100
Buyers praised the lens as a great starter with excellent image quality and value, but one reported autofocus degradation and dust accumulation over time.
- Excellent image quality and value for a starter lens.
- Autofocus became slow and inaccurate over time.
- Dust and hairs accumulated on sensor despite never removing lens.
- Good low-light performance and flexibility for outdoor shooting.
- Q3 201180/100
Buyers in Q3 2011 found the lens ideal for beginners, versatile, and sharp, though some noted its low cost and potential inconsistency.
- Ideal for beginners, light and versatile
- Fast and sharp image quality
- Good value, inexpensive lens
- Inconsistent quality noted, good copies praised
- Q1 201160/100
Buyers find this a decent starter lens with good IS and range, but cite small apertures, fish-eye effect, and a need to upgrade for better quality.
- Good for beginners but prompts upgrade to prime lenses for larger apertures.
- Small apertures require raising ISO; limits low-light and creative photography.
- Fish-eye effect noted in some shots, distorting images unexpectedly.
- Image stabilization present but considered unnecessary by some reviewers.
- Q3 201073/100
Buyers found this lens a good value walk-around lens with sharp images and IS, but noted softness at wide apertures and indoor blur.
- Good value, sharp images, effective IS, lightweight, and convenient for travel.
- Sharpness is decent but best at f/8 and up; not as sharp as higher-end lenses.
- Indoor blur even with IS; slow aperture (f/5.6 at 55mm) limits low-light use.
- Decent starter lens but quickly outgrown; better options exist for body-only buyers.
- Q2 201093/100
Buyers praised this lens as a versatile, affordable entry-level option for macro, landscape, and portrait photography, ideal for beginners.
- Versatile for macro, landscape, and portrait photography.
- Good value and affordable entry-level lens.
- Works well for short focal length subjects like trains and architecture.
- May be outgrown as skills advance, but useful for learning.
- Q1 201075/100
Buyers praised the lens as a great value for beginners, with good image quality and IS. Some noted limitations: lack of USM, small aperture, and short focal range.
- Excellent value and image quality for the price, especially for beginners.
- Lack of USM motor and small aperture (f/5.6 at 55mm) are common drawbacks.
- Image stabilization (IS) is effective, adding two stops of safe shutter speeds.
- Focus range sometimes insufficient; 55mm may not be enough for some users.
- Q4 200980/100
Buyers praised the lens as a good value, lightweight, and versatile for everyday use, but noted reliability issues with stabilization and a rotating barrel that complicates filter use.
- Good value, lightweight, and versatile for everyday photography.
- Stabilization broke after about 3000 shots; reliability concern.
- Rotating barrel makes using polarizer and ND filters time-consuming.
- Refurbished lens arrived in like-new condition and works perfectly.
На основі 113 датованих відгуків покупців, згрупованих за календарними кварталами. Аналіз за періодами - англійською.
Факти
Performance
Let's talk about what this lens does well first. The optical design uses 11 elements in 9 groups, including one aspherical element and one ED element. That aspherical element helps control distortion and spherical aberration, which is why the 18mm wide end looks cleaner than you'd expect from a budget zoom. The Super Spectra coating also does its job, keeping flare and ghosting under control when you're shooting toward bright light. In our database, optical quality lands at the 66th percentile, which is solidly middle of the pack. Not going to blow your mind, but not embarrassing either.
The stabilization is the real star here. Four stops of correction means you can handhold at shutter speeds that would normally turn your photos into abstract art. At 55mm, you could theoretically shoot at 1/15th of a second and still get sharp results if your subject isn't moving. That's a big deal for travel and street photography, where you don't always want to lug a tripod around. The aperture range of f/3.5-5.6 is nothing special, landing at the 78th percentile, but it's workable in daylight. Just don't expect miracles indoors without a flash. The maximum magnification of 0.34x is also a nice surprise, putting it at the 51st percentile for macro. You can get reasonably close to flowers and details, which adds to the versatility.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 18 |
| Focal Length Max | 55 |
| Elements | 11 |
| Groups | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 |
| ED Elements | 1 |
| Coating | Super Spectra coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | No |
| Diaphragm Blades | 6 |
Build
| Mount | Canon EF-S |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | No |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.4 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 58 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Micro Motor |
| Stabilization | Yes |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 250 |
| Max Magnification | 0.34x |
vs Competition
The most obvious competitor is the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 III, which is basically the same lens with a slightly different exterior. If you find the III for less money, grab it. The optical formula is nearly identical, and you won't notice a difference in real-world shooting. The Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS is another kit lens worth considering if you're on the Sony side. It's even more compact thanks to the power zoom design, but the Canon has better stabilization in our testing.
If you want to step up in image quality without breaking the bank, the Sigma Contemporary 16mm f/1.4 DC DN is a completely different beast. It's a prime, so you lose the zoom flexibility, but you gain a much faster aperture and significantly better sharpness. The Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 is a superzoom that covers way more range, but it's heavier, more expensive, and the aperture gets even slower at the long end. For pure budget versatility, the Canon holds its own. For anything more demanding, you'll outgrow it fast.
| Spec | Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II | Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD | Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 XF | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 18-55mm | 18-50mm | 17-70mm | 35mm | 12-35mm | 18-140mm |
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/1.7 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Sony E | Sony E | Fujifilm X | Micro Four Thirds | Nikon Z |
| Stabilization | true | false | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | true | false | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 200 | 290 | 544 | 180 | 306 | 312 |
| AF Type | Micro Motor | stepping motor | RXD | STM (Stepping Motor) | Autofocus | Stepping motor |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | prime | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Товар | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Відгуки користувачів | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II | 53.8 | 59.3 | 84.9 | 50.1 | 65.7 | 79.7 | 7.5 | 82.7 | 80.7 | 92.9 |
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 85.7 | 84.1 | 85.4 | 91.4 | 81.4 | 86 | 80.5 | 78.6 | 89.7 | 36.3 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Compare | 53.8 | 88.8 | 67.5 | 85.5 | 90.6 | 86 | 63.7 | 89.6 | 85.4 | 81.7 |
| Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 XF Compare | 85.7 | 95.6 | 86.7 | 97.2 | 65.7 | 95.2 | 63.7 | 33.6 | 85.4 | 81.7 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 53.8 | 84.1 | 84.7 | 50.3 | 85.9 | 86 | 90.9 | 80.6 | 85.4 | 96.7 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR Compare | 85.7 | 78 | 84.4 | 90.2 | 89.7 | 79.7 | 0 | 96.3 | 33.8 | 96.7 |
Ціна
Value & Pricing
Here's where things get interesting. The price spread on this lens is wild. In the US, we're seeing listings from USD 109 all the way up to USD 1,020 across 32 listings. That's a USD 911 gap for what is fundamentally the same lens. The USD 109 listings are the sweet spot, and honestly, that's the only price where this lens makes sense. Paying anything close to USD 1,020 for this lens is a mistake. At that price, you're in territory where you could buy a genuinely excellent prime lens or a much better zoom.
In Europe, the spread is tighter, EUR 170 to EUR 228 across four listings. Still, the lower end of that range is where you want to be. The CAD pricing runs from CAD 328 to CAD 600, which feels steep for what you're getting. If you're buying new at retail, you're probably overpaying. This is a lens that shines on the used market, where the value proposition actually holds up. At USD 109, you're getting image stabilization, decent optics, and a versatile focal range for less than the cost of a nice dinner for two.
Amazon 1 пропозиція Від 228 EUR
Ми відстежуємо ціни на цей товар з 4 трав. 2026 р.. Графік з'явиться, коли буде більше даних.
Докладніше
Overview
The Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II is the lens that probably came in the box with your first Canon APS-C DSLR. It's the definition of a kit lens, and that's not an insult. For a huge number of people, this is the first interchangeable lens they ever use, and it does a surprisingly decent job of teaching you the ropes without costing much on the used market. We're looking at a 28.8-88mm equivalent zoom range, which covers everything from group shots to casual portraits.
What makes this lens interesting isn't raw performance. It's the value proposition. You can find these things for around USD 109 on the used market, and at that price, the image stabilization alone is worth the entry fee. Canon claims four stops of shake reduction, and our database puts the stabilization at the 93rd percentile for this category. That's genuinely impressive for a lens this cheap. You're getting handheld sharpness that would have cost serious money a decade ago.
But here's the thing. The user sentiment score sits at the 8th percentile, which is rough. A 4.5-star average from 1,880 reviews sounds great until you read what people actually say. The autofocus is slow and hunts in low light, the plastic build feels flimsy, and plenty of owners report the AF motor giving up after a few months. So this is a lens with a split personality. Great specs on paper, frustrating real-world experience for some users.
Common Questions
Q: Is this lens good for low light photography?
Not really. The maximum aperture is f/3.5 at 18mm and drops to f/5.6 at 55mm, which means you need a lot of light or a high ISO to get usable shots indoors. The image stabilization helps with camera shake, but it doesn't help with moving subjects. If low light is a priority, look for a prime lens with an f/1.8 or f/1.4 aperture instead.
Q: Will this lens work on a full-frame Canon camera?
No. This is an EF-S lens, which is designed specifically for Canon APS-C crop sensor cameras. It won't mount on full-frame EF bodies. On an APS-C camera, the 18-55mm focal length gives you a 28.8-88mm equivalent field of view, which is a nice everyday range.
Q: How does the IS II compare to the IS III version?
Optically, they're nearly identical. The IS III has a slightly updated exterior design but the same focal range, aperture, and stabilization system. In practice, you won't see a meaningful difference in image quality. Buy whichever one you can find cheaper, which is usually the IS II on the used market.
Q: Is the autofocus really as bad as people say?
It depends on your expectations. In good light, the Micro Motor autofocus is adequate for casual shooting. But in dim conditions, it hunts and struggles to lock focus, which is the most common complaint from owners. The AF motor is also audible, which is annoying for video. If you need reliable autofocus, this lens will frustrate you.
Who Should Skip This
If you shoot video, skip this lens. The autofocus motor is loud enough to be picked up by the camera's built-in microphone, and the slow, hunting AF will ruin your shots. Look at Canon's STM lenses instead, which are designed for quiet, smooth focusing during video recording. The EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM is the obvious upgrade, with the same focal range but a much better focusing system.
Also skip this if you shoot in low light regularly. Concert photographers, event shooters, or anyone working indoors without flash will hate the f/5.6 maximum aperture at the telephoto end. A fast prime like the Canon 50mm f/1.8 or a used 35mm f/2 will serve you far better. And if you're rough on your gear, the plastic build and fragile AF motor mean this lens probably won't survive your shooting style. Spend a bit more on something with a metal mount and better construction.
Verdict
If you're just starting out with a Canon APS-C DSLR and you can find this lens for under USD 110, it's a perfectly fine way to learn. The image stabilization is genuinely helpful, the wide end is sharp enough for landscapes and street shots, and the lightweight build means you'll actually take it with you. Just know that you're buying a training lens. The autofocus will frustrate you in dim rooms, and the plastic construction won't survive rough handling.
For anyone who's been shooting for more than a year, or anyone who's already frustrated by missed focus in low light, skip this. Put your money toward a fast prime like a 50mm f/1.8 or a better zoom. The EF-S 18-55mm IS II is a stepping stone, not a destination. And if you're paying more than USD 150 for it, you're getting ripped off. Simple as that.
