Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM
Nikon NIKKOR 1960 17-35mm
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)
Nikon NIKKOR 1960 17-35mm
This classic Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8 lens is praised for its rugged build, sharp optics, and fast autofocus, making it a favorite among professionals for landscapes, portraits, and reportage. Users note it performs best on lower-megapixel FX cameras like the D700 and 35mm film bodies, while cautioning about potential autofocus squeak in some copies and heavy weight. Despite its age, it remains a versatile and reliable wide-angle zoom that delivers excellent color and contrast.
Pros
- Rugged all-metal construction
- Sharp optics with excellent contrast
- Fast and silent autofocus
- Versatile for landscapes, portraits, and reportage
- Accepts 77mm filters
Cons
- Heavy weight
- Potential autofocus squeak in some copies
- Not ideal for high-megapixel FX cameras
- Shadow from built-in flash at 17mm
- Expensive
Scores
Specifications
| Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM | Nikon NIKKOR 1960 17-35mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | telephoto | wide-angle |
| Focal Length Min | 55 mm | 17 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 250 mm | 35 mm |
| Elements | 15 | — |
| Groups | 12 | — |
| Aspherical Elements | 0 | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 2★ |
| Coating | Super Spectra coating | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/5.6 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | 4-5.6 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Nikon F |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | — |
| Weight | 0.38 kg★ | 0.74 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 77 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM★ | Silent Wave Motor (SWM) |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | — |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 250 mm★ | 280 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x★ | — |
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
Nikon NIKKOR 1960 17-35mm
- Strong bokeh (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Strong aperture (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Strong social proof (78th percentile)
- Below average stabilization (35th percentile)
Pricing
Verdict
Scores 79 overall, wins 7 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 22 specs.
