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

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Significantly better telephoto 250 mm vs 55 mm
Help
 More than 4.5x more reach, less perspective distortion
More zoom 4.5x vs 3.1x
Help
 Around 50% 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 EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Wider aperture f/3.5 vs f/4
Help
 At its widest, the EF-S 18-55mm 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
Slightly lighter 200 g vs 390 g
Help
 Around 50% lighter
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

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
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 portrait 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
Wide maximum Has a higher max f/stop
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 18-55mm 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
Prime lens Is a fixed focal length prime lens
Magnification Has worse macro
Image stabilization Doesn't have image stabilization
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 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
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 Has significantly large zoom range
Compare the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Compare the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 18-55mm 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 much 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 18-55mm 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
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 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Tamron 75-300mm f/4-5.6 LD Macro Canon-ef

Tamron 75-300mm f/4-5.6 LD Macro Canon-ef

Wildlife lens

$164
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 LD Macro Canon-ef vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Compare the 75-300mm f/4-5.6 LD Macro Canon-ef vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Canon EF 24mm f/2.8

Canon EF 24mm f/2.8

Wide angle lens

$330
Aperture Has a wider aperture
Prime lens Is a fixed focal length prime lens
Magnification Has worse macro
Image stabilization Doesn't have image stabilization
Compare the EF 24mm f/2.8 vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Compare the EF 24mm f/2.8 vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

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

Advantages

Disadvantages
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
Max focal length Better telephoto
Magnification Slightly less magnification
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM 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
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
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 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

$90 - $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 EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

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

Travel lens

$489
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Wide maximum Significantly narrower aperture
Magnification Less magnification
Aperture 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
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

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

Wide angle lens

$1,059
Fixed aperture Has a consant aperture
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Magnification Less magnification
Length Longer
Compare the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM vs the EF-S 18-55mm 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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