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

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EF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM compared with EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS STM

	CanonEF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM	CanonEF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS STM
Overview
Released
Released	April 2017	September 2013
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	18–55 mm	55–250 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/4–5.6	f/4–5.6
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22–32	f/22–32
Optical construction
Optical construction	12 elements in ten groups	15 elements in 12 groups
Special elements
Special elements	Aspherical lens element	One UD element
Coatings
Coatings	Super Spectra coatings	Super Spectra coatings
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Seven blades with a circular aperture	Seven blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view
Angle of view	Horizontal 64°30′–23°20′; vertical 45°30′–15°40′; diagonal 74°20′–27°50′ according to the exact Canon manual	Horizontal 23°20′–5°20′; vertical 15°40′–3°30′; diagonal 27°50′–6°15′
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Canon EF-S	Canon EF-S
Image circle
Image circle	APS-C	APS-C
Compatibility
Compatibility	Canon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras; 29–88 mm equivalent field of view	Canon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras; 88–400 mm equivalent field of view
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	Canon extenders cannot be used	–
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.25 m	0.85 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.25×	0.29×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Lead-screw STM; electronic manual adjustment after One-Shot autofocus while the shutter button remains half pressed, subject to camera settings	STM stepping motor with lead screw; electronic manual focus adjustment after One-Shot autofocus locks according to ePHOTOzine
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Manual focusing is unavailable with the camera off or lens asleep; internal focusing with a non-rotating front element according to both reviews	Minimum focus distance 0.85 m throughout the zoom range; maximum 0.29× magnification at 250 mm; non-rotating front element
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Maximum 0.25× at 55 mm; EF12 II gives 0.82–0.66× at 18 mm and 0.55–0.23× at 55 mm; EF25 II is incompatible at 18 mm and gives 0.91–0.51× at 55 mm	–
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	Four-stop CIPA claim at 55 mm using an EOS 7D Mark II; automatic panning compensation; Canon recommends switching IS off on a tripod to conserve power	3.5-stop CIPA claim; automatic panning detection disables correction in the direction of movement
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	–	No
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	58 mm	58 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	66.5 mm	70 mm
Length
Length	61.8 mm	111.2 mm
Weight
Weight	215 g (better)	375 g
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	–	No weather seals according to Digital Camera World
Zoom design
Zoom design	Barrel extends when zoomed to 55 mm according to The Digital Picture	–
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	66.5 mm maximum diameter × 61.8 mm retracted length; dimensions and 215 g weight are lens only, excluding caps	70 mm maximum diameter × 111.2 mm length in the retracted state
Lens hood
Lens hood	EW-63C sold separately; exact manual and Canon Japan list LP1014 optional case, while the UK overview lists LP1016	ET-63; sold separately according to both reviews
Release detail
Release detail	Canon Japan's exact support specification gives first sale on 7 April 2017; Camera Museum gives April. The day is the Japanese release, not a separately confirmed UK day.	Canon Japan gives first sale on 12 September 2013; Canon Camera Museum gives September. This day is the Japanese release, not a separately confirmed UK day.