Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
Tamron Di III 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 180mm
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)
Tamron Di III 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 180mm
The Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 G2 is widely praised for its sharpness, lightweight design, and excellent value compared to pricier OEM alternatives like the Sony 70-200mm GM II. Users highlight fast autofocus, effective image stabilization, and solid build quality, making it a favorite for sports, wildlife, and everyday telephoto shooting. A few concerns include the lack of a 200mm reach, potential dust ingress on the extending front, and isolated reports of gray market units without full warranty. Overall, it delivers professional-grade results at a fraction of the cost.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness across zoom range
- Lightweight and portable design
- Excellent value for money
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Effective image stabilization
Cons
- Lacks 200mm reach of competitors
- Extending front element may collect dust
- Gray market units without full warranty
- Not parfocal
- Incompatible with teleconverters
Scores
Specifications
| Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM | Tamron Di III 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 180mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 55 mm | 70 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 250 mm | 180 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 20 |
| Groups | 12 | 15 |
| Aspherical Elements | 0 | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 4★ |
| Coating | Super Spectra coating | Fluorine coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | 4-5.6 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.38 kg★ | 0.85 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM★ | VXD |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops | 5 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 850 mm | 300 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x | 1:2.6★ |
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)
Tamron Di III 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 180mm
- Strong optical (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong stabilization (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong versatility (78th percentile)
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average bokeh (25th percentile)
Pricing
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM offers 3.7x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 86 overall, wins 6 of 9 usage categories and 2 of 22 specs.
