Canon EF-S 18-55mm lens

EF-S 18-55mm USM I/II EF-S 18-55mm I/II/III EF-S 18-55mm IS I/II
Key features
Maker:	Canon
Image stabilization:	Available on the IS version
Ultrasonic motor:	Available on the USM version but not on the kit version nor IS version
Short back focus:	Yes
Macro capable:	Yes
Application:	Standard Zoom
Technical data
Type:	Zoom
Focal length:	18-55mm (35 mm equivalent of 28.8–88mm)
Frame coverage:	APS-C 1.6x
Aperture (max/min):	f/3.5–5.6 / f/22-38
Construction:	9 groups / 11 elements
# Diaphragm blades:	6
Close focus distance:	0.28 m / 0.25 m on IS version
Max. magnification:	0.28 (at 55mm) / 0.34 (at 55mm) on IS version
Physical
Max. diameter:	68.5 mm
Max. length:	66.2 mm / 70mm on IS version
Weight:	190 g / 200g on IS version
Filter diameter:	58 mm
Accessories
Lens hood:	EW-60C
Case:	LP-814
Angle of view
Horizontal:	65°30′ – 23°20′
Vertical:	45°30′ – 15°40′
Diagonal:	74°20′ – 27°50′
History
Retail info
MSRP US$	USM: $239.99 IS: $199.99 N/A for the non-USM version, which is only available in kits

The Canon EF-S 18-55mm lens f/3.5-5.6 is a wide-angle to mild telephoto zoom lens for digital single-lens reflex cameras with an EF-S lens mount. The field of view has a 35 mm equivalent focal length of 28.8-88mm, and it is the standard kit lens on Canon's consumer DSLRs.

There have been four releases of this lens:

• Mk I (USM and non-USM),
• Mk II (USM and non-USM)

addressing sharpness in the original lens, and

• IS (non-USM only)

addressing general image quality problems of the Mk II.

The 18-55 IS is currently sold as a bundled kit lens with Canon's consumer DSLRs, replacing the 18-55 Mk I/II (USM-less version) in this role.

On February 7, 2011, the 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS II was announced to be bundled with the Canon 600D and 1100D. This lens is identical in specification to the previous version, and features exactly the same optics and IS system, but has a revised external design.

EF-S 18-55 USM I/II / EF-S 18-55 I/II/III

This is a low-cost lens and the image and build quality reflect this. The lens body is of plastic construction, including the lens mount. Unlike many Canon lenses, the EF-S 18-55mm I/II USM and the 18-55mm I/II are manufactured in Taiwan rather than Japan. The optical quality of the lens is variable, depending on the quality of an individual lens. Generally, however, this version of the lens is soft to very soft and must be stopped down to gain acceptable sharpness. Barrel distortion becomes quite noticeable at the wide-angle setting and chromatic aberration (purple fringing) is common.

Canon released a new version of the non-stabilized EF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 III lens in line with the new stabilized EF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 IS II, the non-stabilized with likely to come on future lower-end "Rebel" models and higher-end "Rebel" models. The new version of the non-stabilized lens is much sharper than the older version, very similar to the new IS II version, only not having Image Stabilization.

EF-S 18-55mm IS

EF-S 18-55 IS

This is a low-cost lens and the build quality reflects this, but the image quality does not. Compared to its older siblings, and even to other Canon consumer zooms, the IS lens is sharper wide open. Also, compared to its older siblings, the IS lens displays less chromatic aberration. However, barrel distortion has not been improved. As for place of manufacture there are two versions, the made in Japan version does not have "lens made in Japan" in the front, however "made in Japan" is written near the lens mount, the second assembled in Taiwan version has "lens made in Japan" written in the front. Build quality overall is somewhat better than the non-IS versions.

Similar lenses

The EF–S 18–55mm is the lowest end Canon general purpose zoom, but its low cost (as part of a kit) makes it a good value.

The three other general purpose EF-S zooms are:

• The Canon EF-S 17-85mm lens:
  • Better build quality, larger zoom ratio, better image quality compared to Mk I/II, but worse image quality compared to IS version.
• The Canon EF-S 15-85mm lens:
  • Redesigned version of the 17-85, wider (15mm), and better image quality than all 18–55 versions, but higher price.
• The Canon EF-S 17-55mm lens:
  • Better build quality, faster, constant maximum aperture of f/2.8, better image quality (compared to both IS and Mk I/II), considerably higher price.

The now-discontinued Canon EF 28-90mm lens is the corresponding EF lens. No EF lens currently in production directly compares to the EF-S 18–55 in equivalent focal length. The closest current EF equivalents are:

• The Canon EF 24-105mm lens:
  • A slightly wider and longer L lens with considerably better build quality, a constant f/4 aperture, better image quality than all 18–55 versions, and considerably higher price.
• The Canon EF 28-135mm lens:
  • Essentially the same wide end, but longer telephoto end. Build quality roughly comparable to the 17–85. More expensive than the 18–55 and slightly less expensive than the 17–85.

Extending the telephoto range, the Canon EF-S 55-250mm lens is a telephoto zoom that picks up at 55mm (88mm equivalent), and together these cover the 18–250mm range (28.8–400mm equivalent). The newer Canon EF-S 18-200mm lens is a superzoom that covers much of this range (28.8–320mm equivalent).

External links

Specifications

• Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM
• Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Reviews

18-55 f/3.5-5.6 II

• photozone.de

18-55 f/3.5-5.6 IS

• photozone.de
• SLRgear.com
• dpreview.com
• the-digital-picture.com

18-55 f/3.5-5.6 USM

• SLRgear.com