Sony DT 55-200mm f/4-5.6 SAM DT Telephoto Zoom
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
What Buyers Say
Sony DT 55-200mm f/4-5.6 SAM DT Telephoto Zoom
This Sony 55-200mm telephoto zoom lens receives overwhelmingly positive feedback for its sharp image quality, fast autofocus, and lightweight plastic build that balances well on Sony Alpha cameras. Users praise its value for money, noting excellent center and edge sharpness, minimal chromatic aberration, and smooth zoom. A few mention slight softness at 200mm and occasional autofocus hesitation, but overall it is highly recommended for portraits and outdoor photography.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Fast and quiet autofocus
- Lightweight plastic build
- Great value for money
- Smooth zoom operation
Cons
- Slight softness at 200mm
- Occasional autofocus hesitation
- Plastic build may feel cheap to some
- Needs good light for handheld shots
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)
Scores
Specifications
| Sony DT 55-200mm f/4-5.6 SAM DT Telephoto Zoom | Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | telephoto | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 55 mm | 55 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 200 mm | 250 mm |
| Elements | — | 15 |
| Groups | — | 12 |
| Aspherical Elements | — | 0★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 1 |
| Coating | — | Super Spectra coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/4 |
| Min Aperture | 4-5.6 | 4-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony A | Canon EF-S |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.31 kg★ | 0.38 kg |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 58 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | SAM | STM★ |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 4 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 950 mm | 850 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x | 0.29x |
Pros & Cons
Sony DT 55-200mm f/4-5.6 SAM DT Telephoto Zoom
- Strong versatility (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong bokeh (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Strong stabilization (79th percentile)
- Below average macro (30th percentile)
- Below average optical (33rd percentile)
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)
Pricing
Verdict
Scores 86 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 22 specs.
