Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM
Tamron SP F045 35mm
What Buyers Say
Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 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 F045 35mm
The Tamron SP 35mm f/1.4 Di USD lens receives overwhelmingly positive feedback for its exceptional sharpness, bright aperture, and beautiful bokeh. Users praise its optical performance, often preferring it over native Nikon and Canon alternatives. A few concerns about compatibility with mirrorless adapters and minor chromatic aberration are noted, but the overall sentiment is highly favorable.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Bright f/1.4 aperture
- Beautiful bokeh
- Excellent build quality
- Great value for money
Cons
- Bulky with mirrorless adapter
- Heavy for mirrorless use
- Minor chromatic aberration wide open
- Compatibility issues with FTZ adapter
- No image stabilization
Scores
Specifications
| Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM | Tamron SP F045 35mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | telephoto | wide-angle |
| Focal Length Min | 55 mm | 35 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 250 mm | 35 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 14 |
| Groups | 12 | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | 0 | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 4★ |
| Coating | Super Spectra coating | BBAR-G2 Coating, Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/1.4 |
| 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 | 72 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM★ | USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 250 mm★ | 300 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x | 1:5★ |
Pros & Cons
Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 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
Tamron SP F045 35mm
- Strong bokeh (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong aperture (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong af (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
Verdict
Scores 92 overall, wins 5 of 9 usage categories and 7 of 22 specs.