Canon
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
 vs
Canon
100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Lighter 390 g vs 1.4 kg
Help
 3.5x lighter
Cheaper $299.00 vs $1,499.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $1,200 cheaper (5x less)
Wider aperture f/4 vs f/4.5
Help
 At its widest, the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS captures marginally more light, 0.3 f-stops
Better wide angle 55 mm vs 100 mm
Help
 Around 50% better wide angle
More magnification 1:3.2 (0.3x) vs 1:5 (0.2x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects more than 50% larger in your photo
Slightly more zoom 4.5x vs 4x
Help
 More than 10% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Learn more about
the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

Reasons to consider the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Has a silent focus motor Canon USM vs None
Help
 Focuses quickly and silently
Better telephoto 400 mm vs 250 mm
Help
 60% more reach, less perspective distortion
Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Learn more about
the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Image stabilization Very good image stabilization Help
Canon IS
Max focal length Good telephoto Help
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS:250 mm
100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM:400 mm
Prime lens Both are zoom lenses Help
Typically not as sharp as prime lenses
Aperture Very narrow widest aperture size Help
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS:f/4
100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM:f/4.5
Fixed aperture Both are variable aperture lenses Help
Narrower aperture at longer focal lengths

Compared to wildlife 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 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM

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

Wildlife lens

$169
Image stabilization Doesn't have image stabilization
Compare the 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Compare the 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Wildlife lens

$649
Compare the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Compare the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Canon-ef

Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Canon-ef

Wildlife lens

$449
Image stabilization Has worse image stabilization
Compare the SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Canon-ef vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Compare the SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Canon-ef vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
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
Zoom range More zoom
Aperture Wider aperture
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Compare the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

Wildlife lens

$247
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Zoom range Less zoom
Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Wildlife lens

$397
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Max focal length Better telephoto
Aperture Narrower aperture
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Travel lens

$699
Zoom range Much more zoom
Aperture Wider aperture
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Magnification Slightly less magnification
Compare the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Canon-ef

Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Canon-ef

Macro lens

$199
Magnification More magnification
Max focal length Better telephoto
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Min focal length Slightly worse wide angle
Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Canon-ef vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM

Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM

Wildlife lens

$1,998
Zoom range More zoom
Aperture Wider aperture
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Lowest price Slightly more expensive
Compare the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM

Wildlife lens

$1,399
Aperture Wider aperture
Min focal length Slightly better wide angle
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Compare the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Nikon Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED

Nikon Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED

Wildlife lens

$1,499
Zoom range More zoom
Min focal length Slightly better wide angle
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Compare the Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

Sports lens

$1,899
Fixed aperture Has a consant aperture
Aperture Significantly wider aperture
Max focal length Significantly worse telephoto
Zoom range Less zoom
Compare the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef

Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef

Wildlife lens

$1,019
Max focal length Better telephoto
Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Image stabilization Worse image stabilization
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L 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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