Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Telephoto Zoom Lens

The Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens is an inexpensive, light, entry level telephoto zoom lens that has image stabilization, very good image quality for the price and a very useful focal length range that will nicely complement most general purpose zoom lenses .

Canon has updated this lens well, primarily in the focusing category with both internal focusing and the STM motor. The pricing hasn't changed much, so if you're looking for a good telephoto addition to your bag, you really can't go wrong here.

This telephoto zoom lens provides an angle of view equivalent to an 88-400mm used on a 35mm camera. This version is an update to the previous Canon 55-250mm IS II lens, adding Canon's new stepping motor technology, which promises smoother, quieter autofocus performance, which is especially suited to...

An 88-400mm equivalent, this is Canon's longest EF-S (digital only) zoom, and roughly the low-cost digital alternative to its 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L full-frame "white" image-stabilized zoom that's so hot with pros.

Built solely for Canon APS-C DSLRs, the 55-250mm offers a 35mm equivalent focal length of 88-400mm. While this is a highly versatile telephoto zoom range, other lenses in our round-up can zoom in over twice as tight.

As this lens is intended as a budget option, it is quite surprising to see just how well it performs. Sharpness is outstanding in the centre of the frame for much of the zoom range, which is how you might expect much more expensive lenses to perform.

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  Great sharpness in the centre throughout the zoom range, Lightweight, Fast focusing, Effective stabiliser

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  Plastic lens mount may put some buyers off this lens, Quite expensive compared to its predecessor

The Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS is a tiny tele lens with a comparatively impressive performance potential. The resolution is very good across the range. Chromatic aberrations are almost a non-issue in field conditions. The level of distortions remains moderate.

When writing the summary of this particular lens we can easily say that we get what we paid for. After spending less than 300 USD we can get a lens with a good resolution at the whole focal length range, with well controlled chromatic aberration and optical stabilization – maybe not being 4EV, but...

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  light weight and compact size, good picture resolution in the middle as well as at the corner of the frame, not very problematic chromatic aberration, good performance against bright light, well controlled coma, reasonable autofocus performance, image stabilization, reasonable price

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  slight focal plane tilt which results in small, however measurable, differences in chromatic aberration and resolution levels between the two sides of the frame, noticeable astigmatism, relatively large vignetting for all focal lengths, too much plastic in its body

Canon hasn't produced many EF-S lenses, but it seems to have taken the same success story behind the 70-300mm IS and applied it here to great effect. The bottom line here is that Canon has packed two important things into this lens for a surprisingly low price - high optical quality and image...

Canon's new EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS is designed specifically for cameras with 'APS-C' sized sensors and combines light weight with a very low price tag for an optically-stabilised lens.

After my 70-300 f/4-5.6 was stolen, I really struggled over what to replace it with. It was between the Tamron 70-300, my original 70-300, and this one. Price wasn't a major factor, but sharpness was.

This lens captures sharp clear pic's, I shoot wild animals and this allows me to get close without disturbing them. It also is an excellent lens for Portraiture, I love it. I have the Canon Rebel SL1 with the EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens.

I purchased this used on Ebay for 138.00. I have used the ISII version of this lens. While I was impressed with that lens I must say this one is even sharper. I purchased this STM model to complement the kit 18-55stm that came with my SL1.

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  sharp, silent and built solid

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  Really nothing so far!

I'm glad I opted for this model with the image stabilization. My pictures are amazingly sharp considering the zoom level from a distance. Not much of a photographer, but many people ask me to bring my camera to take pictures...they swear I am a professional photographer.

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  STM Stepper Motor is awesome. Manual focus is full-time even when auto focus is enabled which allows one to tweak it just the way I want it. Motor is extremely quiet....which is perfect for filming video to eliminate unwanted noise. Crystal clear pictures even with moving objects at a distance.

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  None

This product is very good for long distance shots. It blurs out the background very well, and is very sturdily built.

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  Interfaces Well With Camcorder

I bought this lens a couple weeks ago and was very surprised how great this lens is. I was even more surprised on how great it did taking macros. This is one lens that everyone should have in there bag.

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  Consistent Output, Easily Interchangeable, Fast / accurate auto-focus, Nice Bokeh, Rugged, Strong Construction

Very happy with this lens so far. The image stabilization (IS) truly separates it from the other economical options out there.

I use the lens primarily for wildlife & concert photography with great results. It is a good compact zoom lens for the price.

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  Fast / accurate auto-focus, Consistent Output, Lightweight, Easily Interchangeable, Durable

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  None that I can think of