Meike 55mm f/1.8 55mm

Compact and weather-sealed, but the image quality at the long end falls short of newer rivals like the Sigma 16-300mm and Tamron 18-300mm. The score drop from 79 to 54 reflects how far the competition has pulled ahead. Buy it for portability, not for pixel-peeping.

The superzoom field has gotten crowded, and this lens has slipped down the rankings as a result. The Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS now leads the pack with better sharpness and a wider starting focal length. The Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD offers snappier autofocus and slightly better contrast, especially on Sony bodies. Even the Nikon Z 28-400mm, despite its slower aperture, manages more consistent performance across its massive range. The Panasonic Leica 50-200mm is a different beast entirely, trading zoom reach for outright optical excellence, but it shows what is possible when a manufacturer prioritizes image quality. The Canon EF-S 18-135mm remains a solid budget alternative that outperforms this lens in the mid-range, though it lacks the same telephoto reach. Compared to all five, this lens only wins on portability, and that narrow advantage is not enough to keep it in the top tier anymore.

At its current price, this lens sits in an awkward spot. You are paying a premium for the compact size and weather sealing, but the image quality at longer focal lengths simply does not hold up against newer options. The Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm and Tamron 18-300mm both deliver sharper results across the range for similar or less money, which makes this a harder sell than it was at launch. If you absolutely need the smallest possible superzoom and can live with soft telephoto shots, the portability might still win you over. For everyone else, the value proposition has eroded significantly.

A once-respectable superzoom that has been overtaken by sharper, more versatile competitors. The compact design and weather sealing are still appealing, but the drop in overall score reflects how much the market has moved on. Only recommended if size is your absolute priority and you are willing to accept noticeably soft results past 200mm.