Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
Sony DT SAL1870 18-70mm
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)
Sony DT SAL1870 18-70mm
This Sony 18-70mm kit lens receives mixed reviews, with many praising its value, clarity, and quick autofocus for general photography. However, several users report durability issues, particularly with the plastic mount and softness at maximum zoom, leading to two failed copies for one buyer. Overall, it is seen as an affordable, lightweight option for casual use but not a professional-grade lens.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Fast autofocus
- Good clarity and color
- Lightweight and compact
- Works well for general photography
Cons
- Fragile plastic mount
- Soft at maximum zoom
- Durability issues (multiple failures)
- Not sharp throughout zoom range
- Auto focus can fail after impact
Scores
Specifications
| Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM | Sony DT SAL1870 18-70mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 55 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 250 mm | 70 mm |
| Elements | 15 | — |
| Groups | 12 | — |
| Aspherical Elements | 0 | 1★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 1 |
| Coating | Super Spectra coating | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 4-5.6 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7★ | — |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Sony A |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | — |
| Weight | 0.38 kg | 0.23 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | — |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM★ | — |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | — |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 850 mm | 35 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x★ | — |
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)
Sony DT SAL1870 18-70mm
- Strong macro (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong versatility (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong aperture (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
- Strong bokeh (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Below average user sentiment (11th percentile)11th %ile
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Pricing
Verdict
Scores 86 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.
