Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
Tamron Di-II AF018C-700 18-250mm
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-II AF018C-700 18-250mm
The Tamron 18-250mm lens is praised as an excellent all-in-one travel lens offering outstanding sharpness and color for its range, especially when stopped down. Users highlight its lightweight design, near-macro capability, and good value compared to Canon alternatives. However, the lack of image stabilization is a notable drawback, causing blur in low-light or handheld telephoto shots, and some report zoom creep. Overall, it is recommended for amateurs who understand its limitations.
Pros
- Outstanding sharpness when stopped down
- Excellent all-in-one travel lens
- Lightweight and compact design
- Near-macro focusing capability
- Good value for money
Cons
- No image stabilization
- Zoom creep issue
- Vignetting visible in some shots
- Chromatic aberration/fringing
- Softness in corners at wide apertures
Scores
Specifications
| Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM | Tamron Di-II AF018C-700 18-250mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | macro |
| Focal Length Min | 55 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 250 mm | 250 mm |
| Elements | 15 | — |
| Groups | 12 | — |
| Aspherical Elements | 0 | 1★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 1 |
| Coating | Super Spectra coating | advanced multi-coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/18 |
| Min Aperture | 4-5.6 | 3.5-6.3 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7★ | — |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Canon AF |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | — |
| Weight | 0.38 kg★ | 0.42 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | — |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM★ | — |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 850 mm | 450 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x | 1:3.5★ |
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-II AF018C-700 18-250mm
- Strong versatility (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong stabilization (79th percentile)
- Below average bokeh (21st percentile)
Pricing
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM offers 1.8x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 86 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 22 specs.
