Home Lenses Canon EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS Canon · EF
Released November 2007
A 390 g Canon EF-S telephoto zoom for APS-C cameras with four-stop optical stabilisation, a UD glass element and a 1.1 m minimum focusing distance.
Compare with another lens Compare with… EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM (2018) EF 70–200mm f/4L IS II USM (2018) EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM (2017) EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM (2017) EF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM (2017) EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM (2016) EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM (2016) EF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM (2016) EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM (2015) EF 50mm f/1.8 STM (2015) EF 24–105mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM (2014) EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM (2014) EF-S 10–18mm f/4.5–5.6 IS STM (2014) EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS STM (2013) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM (2013) EF 24–70mm f/4L IS USM (2012) EF 35mm f/2 IS USM (2012) EF 24–70mm f/2.8L II USM (2012) EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM (2012) EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM (2012) EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM (2012) EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS II (2011) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 III (2011) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS II (2011) EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS II USM (2010) EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM (2009) EF-S 15–85mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM (2009) EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS (2009) EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM (2008) EF-S 18–200mm f/3.5–5.6 IS (2008) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS (2007) EF 50mm f/1.2L USM (2007) EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM (2007) EF 70–200mm f/4L IS USM (2006) EF-S 17–55mm f/2.8 IS USM (2006) EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM (2006) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II (2005) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II USM (2005) EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM (2005) EF 24–105mm f/4L IS USM (2005) EF-S 10–22mm f/3.5–4.5 USM (2004) EF-S 17–85mm f/4–5.6 IS USM (2004) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 USM (2003) EF 24–70mm f/2.8L USM (2002) EF 16–35mm f/2.8L USM (2001) EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS USM (2001) EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM (2000) EF 70–200mm f/4L USM (1999) EF 35mm f/1.4L USM (1998) EF 24mm f/1.4L USM (1997) EF 135mm f/2L USM (1996) EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM (1996) EF 28mm f/1.8 USM (1995) EF 70–200mm f/2.8L USM (1995) EF 50mm f/1.4 USM (1993) EF 85mm f/1.8 USM (1992) EF 200mm f/2.8L USM (1991) EF 50mm f/1.8 II (1990) EF 35mm f/2 (1990) EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (1990) EF 80–200mm f/2.8L (1989) EF 85mm f/1.2L USM (1989) EF 24mm f/2.8 (1988) EF 28mm f/2.8 (1987) EF 50mm f/1.8 (1987) RF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZ (2026) RF 14mm F1.4L VCM (2026) RF 7-14mm F2.8-3.5L FISHEYE STM (2026) RF 45mm F1.2 STM (2025) RF 85mm F1.4L VCM (2025) RF 75–300mm F4–5.6 (2025) RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM (2025) RF-S 14–30mm F4–6.3 IS STM PZ (2025) RF 16–28mm F2.8 IS STM (2025) RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM (2024) RF 50mm F1.4 L VCM (2024) RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z (2024) RF 28–70mm F2.8 IS STM (2024) RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM (2024) RF 200–800mm F6.3–9 IS USM (2023) RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z (2023) RF-S 10–18mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM (2023) RF 10–20mm F4 L IS STM (2023) RF 28mm F2.8 STM (2023) RF 100–300mm F2.8L IS USM (2023) RF 24–50mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM (2023) RF-S 55–210mm F5–7.1 IS STM (2023) RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM (2023) RF 15–30mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM (2022) RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM (2022) RF-S 18–150mm F3.5–6.3 IS STM (2022) RF-S 18–45mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM (2022) RF 1200mm F8L IS USM (2022) RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM (2022) RF 100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM (2021) RF 16mm F2.8 STM (2021) RF 14–35mm F4 L IS USM (2021) RF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM (2021) RF 400mm F2.8L IS USM (2021) RF 600mm F4L IS USM (2021) RF 70–200mm F4 L IS USM (2021) RF 50mm F1.8 STM (2020) RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM (2020) RF 100–500mm F4.5–7.1L IS USM (2020) RF 600mm F11 IS STM (2020) RF 800mm F11 IS STM (2020) RF 24–105mm F4–7.1 IS STM (2020) RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS (2019) RF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM (2019) RF 15–35mm F2.8 L IS USM (2019) RF 24–240mm F4–6.3 IS USM (2019) RF 24–70mm F2.8L IS USM (2019) RF 85mm F1.2 L USM (2019) RF 28–70mm F2 L USM (2018) RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM (2018) RF 24–105mm F4L IS USM (2018) RF 50mm F1.2 L USM (2018) NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II (2026) NIKKOR Z 24–105mm f/4–7.1 (2026) NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR (2025) NIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7 (2025) NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II (2025) NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ (2025) NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S (2025) NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 (2024) NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4 (2024) NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR (2024) NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena (2023) NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S (2023) NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR (2023) NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 (2023) NIKKOR Z DX 24mm f/1.7 (2023) NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR (2023) NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 (2023) NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S (2023) NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S (2022) NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 (2022) NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S (2022) NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S (2022) NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S (2022) NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 (2022) NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S (2021) NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S (2021) NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR (2021) NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 (2021) NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (2021) NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S (2021) NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 (2021) NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S (2020) NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S (2020) NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 (2020) NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S (2020) NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR (2020) NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S (2020) NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR (2019) NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR (2019) NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct (2019) NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1.8 S (2019) NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S (2019) NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S (2019) NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S (2019) NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S (2018) NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S (2018) NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S (2018) AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR (2018) AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR (2018) AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E ED (2017) AF-S NIKKOR 70–200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR (2016) AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED (2016) AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 200–500mm f/5.6E ED VR (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.8G ED (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED (2014) AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR (2014) AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–300mm f/3.5–6.3G ED VR (2014) AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G ED (2014) AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR (2013) AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR (2013) AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.8G (2012) AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G (2012) AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G (2011) AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G (2011) AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G (2010) AF-S NIKKOR 24–120mm f/4G ED VR (2010) AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G (2010) AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED (2010) AF-S NIKKOR 16–35mm f/4G ED VR (2010) AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G (2009) AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G (2008) AF-S NIKKOR 14–24mm f/2.8G ED (2007) FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS (2026) FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS (2026) FE 8–14mm F3.5 Fisheye G (2026) FE 100–400mm F5.6–8 OSS (2026) FE 100–400mm F4.5 GM OSS (2026) FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS II (2026) FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS (2025) FE 50–150mm F2 GM (2025) FE 16mm F1.8 G (2025) FE 400–800mm F6.3–8 G OSS (2025) FE 28–70mm F2 GM (2024) FE 85mm F1.4 GM II (2024) E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS II (2024) FE 16-25mm F2.8 G (2024) FE 24-50mm F2.8 G (2024) FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS (2024) FE 16–35mm F2.8 GM II (2023) FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II (2023) FE 50mm F1.4 GM (2023) FE 20-70mm F4 G (2023) E 11mm F1.8 (2022) E 15mm F1.4 G (2022) E PZ 10-20mm F4 G (2022) FE 24–70mm F2.8 GM II (2022) FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G (2022) FE 70–200mm F2.8 GM OSS II (2021) FE 14mm F1.8 GM (2021) FE 24mm F2.8 G (2021) FE 40mm F2.5 G (2021) FE 50mm F1.2 GM (2021) FE 50mm F2.5 G (2021) FE 35mm F1.4 GM (2021) FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 (2020) FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM (2020) FE 20mm F1.8 G (2020) E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS (2019) E 16-55mm F2.8 G (2019) FE 35mm F1.8 (2019) FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS (2019) FE 600mm F4 GM OSS (2019) FE 135mm F1.8 GM (2019) FE 24mm F1.4 GM (2018) FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS (2018) E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS (2018) FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS (2017) FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (2017) FE 12-24mm F4 G (2017) FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM (2017) FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS (2017) FE 85mm F1.8 (2017) E PZ 18-110mm F4 G OSS (2016) FE 50mm F2.8 Macro (2016) FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS (2016) Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA (2016) FE 50mm F1.8 (2016) FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS (2016) FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM (2016) FE 85mm F1.4 GM (2016) FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS (2015) Distagon T* FE 35mm F1.4 ZA (2015) FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS (2015) FE 28mm F2 (2015) FE PZ 28-135mm F4 G OSS (2014) Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS (2014) FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS (2014) Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS (2014) E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS (2013) Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA (2013) 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM II (2013) Sonnar T* FE 35mm F2.8 ZA (2013) Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS (2013) Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM (2013) E 20mm F2.8 (2013) E 10-18mm F4 OSS (2012) E 35mm F1.8 OSS (2012) E PZ 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS (2012) E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE (2012) E 50mm F1.8 OSS (2011) Sonnar T* E 24mm F1.8 ZA (2011) DT 16–50mm F2.8 SSM (2011) E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS (2011) E 30mm F3.5 Macro (2011) DT 35mm F1.8 SAM (2010) E 16mm F2.8 (2010) DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM (2009) DT 50mm F1.8 SAM (2009) Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM (2009) Vario-Sonnar T* 24–70mm F2.8 ZA SSM (2008) Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16–80mm F3.5–4.5 ZA (2007) Planar T* 85mm F1.4 ZA (2006) Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA (2006) 70–200mm F2.8 G (2006) 50mm F1.4 (2006) 50mm F2.8 Macro (2006)
Mount Canon EF-S
Focal length 55–250 mm
Max aperture f/4–5.6
Stabilisation Yes
Weight 390 g What reviewers say Photozone and The Digital Picture value the compact size, low cost and controlled colour fringing. Their samples differ substantially; Photozone finds good edge sharpness but inconsistent autofocus on its EOS 350D, while The Digital Picture reports accurate, slower focusing and soft edges. Neither reproduces the full four-stop stabilisation claim consistently, and both find weaker performance towards the long end.
From photozone.de , photozone.de , photozone.de and the-digital-picture.com
Optics
Lens type Zoom
Focal length 55–250 mm
Maximum aperture f/4–5.6
Minimum aperture f/22–32
Optical construction 12 elements in 10 groups
Special elements UD glass element
Coatings Super Spectra coatings according to Canon's European announcement
Diaphragm Seven blades with a circular aperture Mount and compatibility
Mounts Canon EF-S
Image circle APS-C
Compatibility Canon EF-S compatible APS-C cameras; 88–400 mm equivalent field of view
Teleconverter support Canon extenders cannot be used according to The Digital Picture Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus Yes
Minimum focus distance 1.1 m
Maximum magnification 0.31×
Optical stabilisation Yes
Autofocus detail Micro Motor autofocus without full-time manual override according to The Digital Picture; focus ring rotates during autofocus
Focus distance detail Minimum focus distance 1.1 m throughout the zoom range; front element rotates during focusing according to The Digital Picture
Stabilisation detail Four-stop launch claim based on 1/(focal length × 1.6) shutter speed; automatic panning detection according to Canon's European announcement Design
Filter diameter 58 mm
Maximum diameter 70 mm
Length 108 mm
Weight 390 g
Zoom design Barrel extends during zooming and focusing according to The Digital Picture
Dimensions detail Canon gives 70 mm maximum diameter × 108 mm length
Lens hood ET-60 hood sold separately according to The Digital Picture; LP1019 pouch also optional
Release detail Canon Camera Museum records November 2007 introduction. The Japanese announcement originally scheduled late October 2007 availability; this was a planned date rather than the Museum's recorded introduction. The Digital Picture tested a Canadian retail sample in November 2007 and notes the later US announcement. Pros and cons Pros + Four-stop optical stabilisation launch claim+ 0.31× maximum magnification+ Compact 390 g telephoto zoomCons − Hood and pouch sold separately− No full-time manual focus override− Filter thread rotates during focusingNewer model: EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS II .
