Canon
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
 vs
Canon
EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Better telephoto 250 mm vs 135 mm
Help
 Around 90% more reach, less perspective distortion
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 EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
More zoom 7.5x vs 4.5x
Help
 More than 60% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
Wider aperture f/3.5 vs f/4
Help
 At its widest, the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS captures marginally more light, 0.4 f-stops
Better wide angle 18 mm vs 55 mm
Help
 3.1x better wide angle
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Learn more about
the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Image stabilization Very good image stabilization Help
Canon IS
Zoom range Great zoom Help
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS:4.5x
EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS:7.5x
Prime lens Both are zoom lenses Help
Typically not as sharp as prime lenses
Focus motor No silent focus motor Help
Louder and slower
Fixed aperture Both are variable aperture lenses Help
Narrower aperture at longer focal lengths

Compared to telephoto lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Weight Light weight Help
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS:390 g
EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS:455 g
Min focal length Good wide-angle Help
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS:55 mm
EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS:18 mm
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS:$299.00
EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS:$499.00

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
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Min focal length Has a slightly narrower wide angle lens
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 EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 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 Has significantly large zoom range
Compare the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Compare the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 18-135mm 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
Compare the EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Compare the EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM vs the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

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

Wide angle lens

$185 - $199
Max focal length Has a slightly longer telephoto lens
Compare the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Compare the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

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

Wildlife lens

$649
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Min focal length Has a slightly narrower wide angle lens
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 EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

Low light lens

$98 - $125
Aperture Has a wider aperture
Length Is shorter
Max focal length Has a slightly longer telephoto lens
Magnification Has worse macro
Compare the EF 50mm f/1.8 II vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Compare the EF 50mm f/1.8 II vs the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD Macro Canon-ef

Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD Macro Canon-ef

Travel lens

$199
Zoom range Has significantly large zoom range
Image stabilization Doesn't have image stabilization
Compare the 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD Macro Canon-ef vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Compare the 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD Macro Canon-ef vs the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

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

Advantages

Disadvantages
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
Sigma 50-200mm f/4-5.6 DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Sigma 50-200mm f/4-5.6 DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Wildlife lens

$159
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Image stabilization Worse image stabilization
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Compare the 50-200mm f/4-5.6 DC OS HSM Canon-ef vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

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

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

Travel lens
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Zoom range Less zoom
Max focal length Slightly worse telephoto
Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR vs the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Wide angle lens

$1,059
Fixed aperture Has a consant aperture
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Zoom range Less zoom
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the 24-105mm f/4L IS USM vs the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

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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