Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
Zeiss Aatma Prime 50mm T1.5 50mm
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)
Zeiss Aatma Prime 50mm T1.5 50mm
The Zeiss 50mm f/1.5 Sonnar is a lens with legendary character, offering beautiful rendering and sharpness when stopped down, but it comes with a notable focus shift issue that requires compensation. Users praise its build quality, compact size, and value compared to Leica alternatives, though the focus shift and expensive hood are common complaints. It's a lens that demands patience but rewards with stunning portraits and a classic glow.
Pros
- Beautiful rendering wide open
- Very sharp when stopped down
- Solid build quality
- Compact size
- Great value for money
Cons
- Noticeable focus shift
- Expensive lens hood
- Focus shift requires compensation
- Not compatible with Contax IIIa
Scores
Specifications
| Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM | Zeiss Aatma Prime 50mm T1.5 50mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 55 mm | 50 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 250 mm | 50 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 6 |
| Groups | 12 | 4 |
| Aspherical Elements | 0★ | — |
| ED Elements | 1★ | — |
| Coating | Super Spectra coating | T* |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | 4-5.6 | f/1.5 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 16★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF-S | ARRI PL |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | — |
| Weight | 0.38 kg★ | 1.22 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 46 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM★ | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 850 mm | 460 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x★ | 0.0520833333 |
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)
Zeiss Aatma Prime 50mm T1.5 50mm
- Below average build (13th percentile)13th %ile
- Below average af (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average optical (18th percentile)18th %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
Pricing
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM offers 435.0x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 86 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 7 of 22 specs.
