Canon
EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
 vs
Canon
EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
More magnification 1:3 (0.3x) vs 1:6 (0.2x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects around 2x larger in your photo
Shorter 70 mm vs 110 mm
Help
 Around 40% shorter
Cheaper $199.00 vs $1,179.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $980 cheaper (5.9x less)
Lighter 200 g vs 0.6 kg
Help
 3.2x lighter
Slightly smaller diameter 68 mm vs 84 mm
Help
 Around 20% smaller lens at the end
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Learn more about
the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Reasons to consider the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Has a consant aperture Yes vs No
Help
 Constant aperture lenses offer the same aperture at all focal lengths
Has a silent focus motor Canon USM vs None
Help
 Focuses quickly and silently
Wider aperture f/2.8 vs f/3.5
Help
 At its widest, the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM captures slightly more light, 0.6 f-stops
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Learn more about
the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Image stabilization Very good image stabilization Help
Canon IS
Prime lens Both are zoom lenses Help
Typically not as sharp as prime lenses
Max focal length Poor telephoto Help
55 mm

Compared to wide angle lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses

LensHero is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.

LensHero is not aware of any interesting weaknesses shared by these two products.

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

Low light lens

$92 - $110
Aperture Has a wider aperture
Prime lens Is a fixed focal length prime lens
Image stabilization Doesn't have image stabilization
Zoom range Has slightly smaller zoom range
Compare the EF 50mm f/1.8 II vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Compare the EF 50mm f/1.8 II vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Travel lens

$499 - $549
Max focal length Has a slightly shorter telephoto lens
Zoom range Has significantly large zoom range
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Compare the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef

Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef

Wide angle lens

$459
Wide maximum Has a higher max f/stop
Image stabilization Doesn't have image stabilization
Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Travel lens

$699
Zoom range Has slightly large zoom range
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Compare the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

Wide angle lens

$739
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Image stabilization Doesn't have image stabilization
Compare the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Compare the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Wide angle lens

$1,059
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the 24-105mm f/4L IS USM vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Compare the 24-105mm f/4L IS USM vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Travel lens

$489
Wide maximum Has a higher max f/stop
Zoom range Has slightly large zoom range
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Compare the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

Nikon Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

Wide angle lens

$107 - $197
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Compare the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Canon 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM

Canon 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM

Wildlife lens

$169
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Max focal length Significantly better telephoto
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Length Longer
Compare the 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Travel lens

$479
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Zoom range More zoom
Magnification Less magnification
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

Wide angle lens

$1,280
Magnification More magnification
Max focal length Slightly better telephoto
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

Fisheye lens

$1,499
Fisheye Fisheye lens
Magnification Slightly more magnification
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Zoom range Less zoom
Compare the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

discussion Which do you think is better?

Speech is free, but discussion at LensHero is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of these lenses here, and discuss feedback for LensHero at our support community.

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