See Also:

Canon Zoom Lenses

Canon Wide Angle Lens

Canon Lens Glossary

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens

The Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS is an affordable telephoto zoom lens that brings genuine telephoto capabilities to users of the popular Canon Digital Rebel models and the prosumer EOS 20D to 50D models.

In a Nutshell:
* Only for use on Canon EOS digital SLR cameras with APS-C format sensors
* Zoom range: 55-250mm, giving equivalent focal length of 88-400mm (1.6x crop factor)
* 4-stop Image Stabilizer (IS) with automatic panning detection
* Circular aperture diaphragm creates smooth background blur
* Lens Construction: 12 elements in 10 groups, including one UD-glass element
* Closest focusing distance: 3.6 ft./1.1m
* Filter size: 58mm
* Lens Size: 2.8" (70mm) in diameter, 4.3" (108mm) in length
* Lens Weight: 13.8 oz./390g
* Price: $249 to $299

The Canon EF-S 55-250mm is a truly affordable telephoto zoom lens offering an impressive focal length range of 88-400mm (equivalent) when used with any of the Canon Rebels or 20D-50D cameras.

To combat camera shake, the 55-250mm incorporates Canon’s latest image stabilizer technology, providing up to four stops of camera shake compensation. The lens also features automatic panning detection that turns off the IS in either the horizontal or vertical direction when following moving subjects.

The Canon EF-S 55-250mm is compatible with:

* EOS Digital Rebel (300D)
* EOS Rebel XT (EOS 350D)
* EOS Rebel XTi (EOS 400D)
* EOS Rebel XSi (EOS 450D)
* EOS Rebel XS (EOS 1000D)
* EOS Rebel T1i (EOS 500D)
* EOS Rebel T2i (EOS 550D)
* EOS 20D
* EOS 30D
* EOS 40D
* EOS 50D
* EOS 7D

The lens will not fit on any EOS 35mm film bodies, or EOS digital cameras with full-frame sensors (1Ds and 5D range) or APS-H sensors (1D range).

User Review Roundup for Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS

Pros:
* Sharp, good quality images
* Fast autofocus
* IS works very well
* Handy focal length range
* Lightweight, compact

Cons:
* Rather plasticky
* Autofocus hunts in low light
* Rotating front element, problem with polarizing filter
* No USM focus

User Ratings Roundup:

Star Rating (max 5): 4.5
Points Rating (max 10): 9.0, recommended by 96% of users.

What Users Are Saying:

"I can't recommend this lens highly enough to anyone looking for a cheap long range zoom."

"I shoot action shots at full zoom with great results."

"The IS system works extremely well, though it is not silent."

"The auto-focus sometimes struggles with closer subjects. Does well in low light."

"Very easy to use, extremely intuitive, super fast focus/wonderful detail."

See more Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Customer Reviews

Manufacturer's Feature List for the EF-S 55-250mm:

* Affordable telephoto zoom lens
* 88-400mm equivalent focal length
* 4-stop Image Stabilizer with automatic panning detection
* UD element
* Super Spectra coatings
* Circular diaphram

Recommended Uses:

* Wildlife and nature
* Sport and action
* Portraits at short end (88mm ideal for portraits)
* Reportage, candid photography

Return to Canon Lens Reports

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