Canon EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS STM vs Canon RF-S 55–210mm F5–7.1 IS STM

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EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS STM compared with RF-S 55–210mm F5–7.1 IS STM

	CanonEF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS STM	CanonRF-S 55–210mm F5–7.1 IS STM
Overview
Released
Released	September 2013	March 2023
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	55–250 mm	55–210 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/4–5.6	f/5–7.1
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22–32	f/22–32
Optical construction
Optical construction	15 elements in 12 groups	Eleven elements in eight groups
Special elements
Special elements	One UD element	Two UD elements and one plastic-moulded aspherical element; Super Spectra coating; no fluorine coating
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	–	Minimum f/22 at 55 mm and f/32 at 210 mm
Coatings
Coatings	Super Spectra coatings	–
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Seven blades with a circular aperture	Seven blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	Horizontal 23°20′–5°20′; vertical 15°40′–3°30′; diagonal 27°50′–6°15′	–
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Canon EF-S	Canon RF
Image circle
Image circle	APS-C	APS-C
Compatibility
Compatibility	Canon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras; 88–400 mm equivalent field of view	Canon RF mount with APS-C image circle; full-frame EOS R bodies crop to APS-C; RF extenders and EF extension tubes not compatible
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.85 m	0.73 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.29×	0.28×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	STM stepping motor with lead screw; electronic manual focus adjustment after One-Shot autofocus locks according to ePHOTOzine	Lead-screw STM autofocus and electronic manual focusing
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum focus distance 0.85 m throughout the zoom range; maximum 0.29× magnification at 250 mm; non-rotating front element	Minimum focus 1 m at 55 mm and 0.73 m at 210 mm
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	–	Maximum 0.05× at 55 mm and 0.28× at 210 mm
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	3.5-stop CIPA claim; automatic panning detection disables correction in the direction of movement	Optical IS rated 4.5 stops with EOS R10 at 210 mm under CIPA, yaw/pitch; coordinated IS rated seven stops with EOS R7 at 210 mm under CIPA, yaw/pitch
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	No	No
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	58 mm	55 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	70 mm	69 mm
Length
Length	111.2 mm	92.9 mm
Weight
Weight	375 g	270 g (better)
Controls
Controls	–	Combined focus/control ring and zoom ring; AF/MF and IS controlled through camera settings
Zoom design
Zoom design	–	Extending zoom barrel
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	No weather seals according to Digital Camera World	No dust or moisture resistance
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	70 mm maximum diameter × 111.2 mm length in the retracted state	Approximately 69 mm maximum diameter × 92.9 mm length, per Canon Japan and Camera Museum; UK table labels 135 mm as retracted, while Digital Camera World identifies 135 mm as extended
Weight detail
Weight detail	–	Approximately 270 g lens
Lens hood
Lens hood	ET-63; sold separately according to both reviews	ET-60B hood and LP1016 pouch, sold separately
In the box
In the box	–	Lens, E-55 front cap, RF lens dust cap and user manual
Release detail
Release detail	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.	March 2023 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum