Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
Tamron SP 60mm f/2 Di II 1:1 Macro 60mm
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 SP 60mm f/2 Di II 1:1 Macro 60mm
This Tamron 60mm f/2 macro lens receives overwhelmingly positive feedback for its sharpness, excellent bokeh, and versatile use for both macro and portrait photography. Users appreciate the good working distance, solid build, and value for money, though some note the autofocus can be slow and noisy, and one verified reviewer reported a severe front-focusing issue that could not be fully corrected. Overall, it is highly recommended for APS-C DSLR users seeking a capable macro and portrait lens.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness
- Great bokeh
- Versatile for macro and portrait
- Good working distance
- Solid build quality
Cons
- Slow autofocus speed
- Noisy autofocus motor
- Front-focusing issues on some copies
- Autofocus hunts in low contrast
- Lens hood interferes at close range
Scores
Specifications
| Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM | Tamron SP 60mm f/2 Di II 1:1 Macro 60mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | macro |
| Focal Length Min | 55 mm | 60 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 250 mm | 60 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 14 |
| Groups | 12 | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | 0 | 0 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 2★ |
| Coating | Super Spectra coating | Broad-Band Anti-Reflective Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | 4-5.6 | f/2 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Sony A |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.38 kg★ | 0.39 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 55 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM★ | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 850 mm | 231 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x | 1:1★ |
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 SP 60mm f/2 Di II 1:1 Macro 60mm
- Strong macro (78th percentile)
- Strong optical (73rd percentile)
- Strong social proof (69th percentile)
- Below average bokeh (14th percentile)14th %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Pricing
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM offers 2.8x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 86 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 22 specs.
