Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
Tamron Di III 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD
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 III 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD
The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is widely praised as a versatile, all-in-one zoom lens that delivers exceptional sharpness and fast autofocus across its entire range. Many users, including professional event and wedding photographers, have replaced multiple primes or zooms with this single lens, citing its f/2-2.8 aperture and 35-150mm reach as ideal for portraits, sports, and travel. The main drawbacks are its significant weight and size, with some noting it can be tiring for handheld use, and a few isolated complaints about packaging or slow focus for moving subjects. Overall, it is considered a game-changer for those who value convenience and image quality.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness across zoom range
- Fast and reliable autofocus
- Versatile 35-150mm focal length
- Bright f/2-2.8 aperture
- Excellent build quality
Cons
- Heavy and bulky
- No tripod collar included
- Slow focus for moving subjects
- Some vignetting at longer focal lengths
- Packaging issues on delivery
Scores
Specifications
| Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM | Tamron Di III 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 55 mm | 35 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 250 mm | 150 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 21 |
| Groups | 12 | 15 |
| Aspherical Elements | 0 | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 4★ |
| Coating | Super Spectra coating | BBAR-G2 Coating, Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/2 |
| Min Aperture | 4-5.6 | 2-2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Nikon Z |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.38 kg★ | 1.87 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 82 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM★ | VXD |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 850 mm | 150 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x | 1:5.55★ |
Pros & Cons
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
- Strong stabilization (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong versatility (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong af (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong social proof (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Below average macro (33rd percentile)
Tamron Di III 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD
- Strong optical (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong bokeh (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong aperture (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong versatility (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Below average build (14th percentile)14th %ile
- Below average social proof (15th percentile)15th %ile
Pricing
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM offers 6.8x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 84 overall, wins 4 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 22 specs.
