Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
Sigma Sports 185955 500mm
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)
Sigma Sports 185955 500mm
The Sigma 500mm f/4 Sports lens wins strong praise for its sharpness, fast autofocus, and solid build. Users note it pairs well with Nikon Z-series cameras via the FTZ adapter and delivers excellent image quality for wildlife and bird photography, especially in low light. A few caution that it's heavy for prolonged handheld use, but most find it well-balanced. The lens is seen as a cost-effective alternative to pricier OEM primes, with the added benefit of customization via the Sigma Lens Dock.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Solid build quality
- Excellent low-light performance
- Well-balanced design
Cons
- Heavy for handheld use
- Expensive initial cost
Scores
Specifications
| Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM | Sigma Sports 185955 500mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | super-telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 55 mm | 500 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 250 mm | 500 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 16 |
| Groups | 12 | 11 |
| Aspherical Elements | 0 | 0 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 3★ |
| Coating | Super Spectra coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/32 |
| Min Aperture | 4-5.6 | f/4 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Nikon F |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.38 kg★ | 3.17 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 46 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM★ | HSM |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops | 4 stops |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 850 mm★ | 3.50 m |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x★ | 0.15x |
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 (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong social proof (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Below average macro (33rd percentile)
Sigma Sports 185955 500mm
- Strong stabilization (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong optical (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Strong user sentiment (75th percentile)
- Below average aperture (5th percentile)5th %ile
- Below average build (8th percentile)8th %ile
- Below average bokeh (8th percentile)8th %ile
- Below average macro (27th percentile)
Pricing
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM offers 51.7x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 84 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 22 specs.
