Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
Sigma APO DG OS HSM 737101 150-500mm
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 APO DG OS HSM 737101 150-500mm
Users are overwhelmingly positive about this Sigma 150-500mm lens, praising its excellent image quality, sharpness, and value for money compared to expensive Nikon alternatives. The optical stabilization is highly effective, and the build quality feels solid and professional. However, the lens is noted to be very heavy, and its slow aperture (f/5-6.3) makes it challenging for indoor or low-light sports photography. Some users also reported autofocus issues after extended use or in low light.
Pros
- Excellent image quality and sharpness
- Great value for money
- Effective optical stabilization
- Solid and professional build quality
- Smooth zoom and focus rings
Cons
- Very heavy and bulky
- Slow aperture for low light
- Autofocus issues after extended use
- Autofocus unreliable in low light
- Lens cap feels flimsy
Scores
Specifications
| Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM | Sigma APO DG OS HSM 737101 150-500mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 55 mm | 150 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 250 mm | 500 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 21 |
| Groups | 12 | 15 |
| Aspherical Elements | 0★ | — |
| ED Elements | 1 | 3★ |
| Coating | Super Spectra coating | super multilayer lens coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | 4-5.6 | 5-6.3 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Canon EF |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | — |
| Weight | 0.38 kg★ | 1.78 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 86 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM★ | HSM |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops | 4 stops |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 850 mm★ | 2.20 m |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x | 1:5.2★ |
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)
Sigma APO DG OS HSM 737101 150-500mm
- Strong optical (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong versatility (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Strong social proof (71st percentile)
- Below average build (8th percentile)8th %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average bokeh (25th percentile)
- Below average macro (33rd percentile)
Pricing
Verdict
Scores 86 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 22 specs.
