Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 50mm
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 Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 50mm
The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art lens is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and fast, quiet autofocus. Users consistently highlight its premium build quality and excellent value compared to first-party alternatives like Canon L or Nikon G lenses. While many note it is heavier and larger than typical 50mm primes, the image quality and performance are considered well worth the trade-off. A few users mention potential autofocus inconsistencies in low light or with older firmware, but overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Beautiful bokeh
- Fast and quiet autofocus
- Premium build quality
- Great value for money
Cons
- Heavy and bulky
- Autofocus hunts in low light
- Soft edges at f/1.4
- Potential front/back focus issues
- Firmware compatibility concerns
Scores
Specifications
| Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM | Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 50mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 55 mm | 50 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 250 mm | 50 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 14 |
| Groups | 12 | 11 |
| Aspherical Elements | 0 | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 1 |
| Coating | Super Spectra coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | 4-5.6 | f/1.4 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Nikon F |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.38 kg★ | 0.81 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 77 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM★ | HSM |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 850 mm | 400 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x | 1:6.8★ |
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)
Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 50mm
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong optical (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Pricing
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM offers 4.0x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 86 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 22 specs.
