Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
Tamron SP AFA005S-700 70-300mm
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 SP AFA005S-700 70-300mm
Reviewers overwhelmingly praise the Tamron 70-300mm lens for its excellent value for money, delivering sharp images and solid build quality at a fraction of the cost of brand-name alternatives. Many users highlight its impressive performance for wildlife and bird photography, although some note that the autofocus can be slow in low light and there are occasional issues with chromatic aberration. While a few mention the lack of image stabilization on certain models, most find it manageable with steady hands or a tripod.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Sharp image quality throughout zoom range
- Solid build and sturdy construction
- Good for wildlife and bird photography
- Effective vibration compensation (VC)
Cons
- Slow autofocus in low light
- Occasional chromatic aberration (purple/green fringing)
- No vibration reduction on some models
- Autofocus can hunt and struggle on small subjects
- Zoom ring not always smooth
Scores
Specifications
| Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM | Tamron SP AFA005S-700 70-300mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 55 mm | 70 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 250 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 13 |
| Groups | 12 | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | 0★ | — |
| ED Elements | 1 | 2★ |
| Coating | Super Spectra coating | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/32 |
| Min Aperture | 4-5.6 | 4.0-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Sony A |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | — |
| Weight | 0.38 kg★ | 0.77 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 62 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM★ | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 850 mm★ | 950 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x | 1:2★ |
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)
Tamron SP AFA005S-700 70-300mm
- Strong versatility (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong social proof (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Strong stabilization (79th percentile)
- Strong user sentiment (66th percentile)
- Below average aperture (5th percentile)5th %ile
- Below average bokeh (8th percentile)8th %ile
- Below average build (23rd percentile)
Pricing
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM offers 2.6x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 86 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.
