Tamron
17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef
 vs
Canon
EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef
Significantly narrower aperture f/32 vs f/22
Help
 At its narrowest, the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef goes 1.1 f-stops narrower
Shorter 82 mm vs 110 mm
Help
 Around 30% shorter
Slightly cheaper $459.00 vs $1,059.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $600 cheaper (2.3x less)
Slightly more magnification 1:4.5 (0.2x) vs 1:6 (0.2x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects more than 30% larger in your photo
Slightly lighter 434 g vs 0.6 kg
Help
 More than 30% lighter
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef Learn more about
the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef

Reasons to consider the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Image stabilization Canon IS vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Has a silent focus motor Canon USM vs None
Help
 Focuses quickly and silently
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
Fixed aperture Constant aperture lenses Help
The same aperture at all focal lengths
Prime lens Both are zoom lenses Help
Typically not as sharp as prime lenses
Max focal length Poor telephoto Help
17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef:50 mm
EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM: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 17-40mm f/4L USM

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

Wide angle lens

$739
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM vs the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef
Compare the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Wide angle lens

$594
Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon-ef vs the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef
Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon-ef vs the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
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
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Fixed aperture Has a variable aperture
Compare the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef
Compare the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS 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 - $1,699
Fisheye Is a fisheye lens
Compare the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM vs the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef
Compare the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM 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
Fixed aperture Has a variable aperture
Compare the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM vs the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef
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 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
Zoom range Has slightly smaller zoom range
Compare the EF 50mm f/1.8 II vs the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef
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
Fixed aperture Has a variable aperture
Compare the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef
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 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Wide angle lens

$199
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Fixed aperture Has a variable aperture
Wide maximum Significantly wider aperture
Compare the 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef vs the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef

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

discussion Which do you think is better?

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