Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
Nikon NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 S
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)
Nikon NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 S
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VRII is widely praised as a versatile, sharp, and well-built walk-around lens for full-frame Nikon cameras. Users love the constant f/4 aperture, effective VR, and the useful 24-120mm range, which makes it ideal for travel, events, and everyday photography. While some note it is a bit heavy and pricey, and a few report softness or quality control issues, the overwhelming majority consider it an excellent value and a worthy upgrade from kit lenses.
Pros
- Versatile 24-120mm zoom range
- Constant f/4 aperture throughout zoom
- Effective Vibration Reduction (VR)
- Sharp image quality across focal lengths
- Solid build and durable construction
Cons
- Heavier than some comparable lenses
- Relatively expensive (new)
- Some copies have softness issues
- Maximum aperture f/4 is slow for low light
- Zoom ring position can be awkward
Scores
Specifications
| Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM | Nikon NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 S | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 55 mm | 24 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 250 mm | 120 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 16 |
| Groups | 12 | 13 |
| Aspherical Elements | 0 | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 2★ |
| Coating | Super Spectra coating | Nano Crystal Coat, Super Integrated Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | 4-5.6 | f/4 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Nikon F |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.38 kg★ | 0.63 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 77 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM★ | Silent Wave Motor |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops | 4 stops |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 850 mm | 350 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x | 1:2.56★ |
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)
Nikon NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 S
- Strong versatility (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong optical (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average bokeh (25th percentile)
Pricing
Verdict
Scores 86 overall, wins 5 of 9 usage categories and 2 of 22 specs.
