Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM 55mm
One aspherical element and Super Spectra coating reduce aberrations and flare, while the 4-stop Optical Image Stabilizer and STM motor deliver sharp, near-silent autofocus. Weighing just 215g, this lens is highly portable and includes full-time manual focus override for precise adjustments without leaving autofocus. It's best for budget-conscious travelers with Canon APS-C DSLRs wanting a flexible everyday zoom that also offers 1:4 macro capability.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong stabilization (93rd percentile) 93rd
- Strong af (87th percentile) 87th
- Strong build (83rd percentile) 83rd
- Strong versatility (82nd percentile) 82nd
Cons
- Below average bokeh (3rd percentile)
- Below average aperture (5th percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (30th percentile)
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
- Q2 202483/100
Buyers used it as a budget-friendly replacement lens, praising its performance and ease of focus for casual photography.
- Works as a good budget replacement for original lens.
- Ease of focus is quick and effortless
- Saves money compared to new alternatives
- Suitable for recreational, non-professional use
- Q3 202175/100
Buyers praised the lens as good value, light, and compact with effective IS and fast focusing, but noted limitations in AF point support on Canon 7D II and plastic mount build.
- Good value, light, compact, effective IS, fast and quiet USM Nano focusing.
- Lens does not support 65 AF points on Canon 7D II, only 45 AF points.
- Plastic mount criticized; metal mount expected for durability.
- Image quality inferior to 18-135mm but acceptable for size and price.
- Q4 201993/100
Buyers praised the refurbished lens as working perfectly and great value, but noted packaging lacked official warranty paperwork, resembling an eBay sale.
- Lens works perfectly and is great for the price.
- Product is compact, comfortable, and takes good photos.
- Seller delivered on time and product arrived intact.
- Packaging lacked Canon warranty paperwork, felt like an eBay sale.
Based on 17 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 18 |
| Focal Length Max | 55 |
| Elements | 12 |
| Groups | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 |
| Coating | Super Spectra coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/32 |
| Min Aperture | 4-5.6 |
| Constant | No |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
Build
| Mount | Canon EF-S |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.5 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 58 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | STM |
| Stabilization | Yes |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 250 |
| Max Magnification | 1:4 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM 55mm | Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2 | Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 | Sony G SELP28135G.SYX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 18-55mm | 17-28mm | 28-75mm | 10-18mm | 12-60mm | 28-135mm |
| Max Aperture | f/32 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/4 |
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Nikon Z | Sony E | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | false | false | false | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 215 | 450 | 540 | 260 | 320 | 420 |
| AF Type | STM | Stepping Motor | VXD | Autofocus | linear motor | SSM |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM 55mm | 87 | 3.2 | 83 | 78.1 | 64.4 | 4.9 | 29.8 | 82.3 | 77.9 | 92.8 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 87 | 88.1 | 73.6 | 86.3 | 87 | 85.8 | 90.8 | 68.1 | 64.6 | 38 |
| Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2 Compare | 54.6 | 88.1 | 67.2 | 87.3 | 87.8 | 85.8 | 80.4 | 78.2 | 83.1 | 38 |
| Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 54.6 | 83.5 | 87.3 | 93.3 | 81.6 | 85.8 | 80.4 | 69.1 | 68.8 | 38 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 Compare | 98 | 88.1 | 83.1 | 50.4 | 90.2 | 85.8 | 44.2 | 93.1 | 63.5 | 83.2 |
| Sony G SELP28135G.SYX Compare | 94.2 | 80.2 | 75.5 | 31.2 | 87 | 69.9 | 63.3 | 92.4 | 50.2 | 92.8 |
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
