Canon EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM Review
General information
This is a zoom lens manufactured by Canon and the lens was released 2013.
The lens belongs to the category
standard zoom lenses, a normal lens where you have the possibility to zoom in and out.
Product description from Canon
At launch 2013 Canon wrote this regarding Canon EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM:
"Designed for high-quality still image and video capture while being compact and lightweight, the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens features the optics, AF and image stabilization necessary for shooting in any number of situations. For brilliant image quality it has one high-precision aspheric lens to reduce chromatic aberration throughout the zoom range. It features optimized lens coatings to ensure exceptional color balance while minimizing ghosting and flare and a 7-blade circular aperture to ensure beautiful, soft backgrounds. For outstanding performance, the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens perfectly complements the Movie Servo AF feature found on select EOS Cameras with a compact six-group zoom system and a new stepping motor and focus mechanism to deliver smooth and quiet continuous AF during movie shooting. Still photography benefits from a high-speed CPU and an optimized AF algorithm. Full-time manual focus is available in AF mode and the front element does not rotate during focus, perfect for use with polarizing filters. Handheld photography is enhanced by the lens´ Optical Image Stabilizer system, offering the equivalent of four stops of compensation. Compact and highly versatile, it is the ideal lens to carry anywhere.
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
The ideal standard lens for those starting out in DSLR photo and video
An affordable standard zoom lens suited to a variety of subjects. Enjoy smooth, near-silent focusing when shooting video, with STM motor technology and Movie Servo AF. A four-stop Image Stabilizer reduces camera shake.
Benefits
- Versatile zoom range – great for landscapes, portraits and travel
- Compact lightweight design
- Avoid camera shake with a four-stop optical Image Stabilizer
- STM Motor gives smooth, near-silent focusing when shooting video
- 0.25m close focusing distance
Detailed Features
An ideal first step into the DSLR world
Tackle a range of subjects, from landscapes to portraits and action, with a versatile 18-55mm zoom range. Lightweight construction makes this a great everyday lens.
Increased sharpness with four-stop Image Stabilizer
An optical Image Stabilizer reduces the risk of camera shake, enabling hand-held photography in low-light conditions without flash. Use shutter speeds up to four stops longer than normal without blur from camera movement.
Quiet, smooth focusing in movies
STM Motor technology provides near-silent focusing to leave your video soundtrack uninterrupted by noise, and adjusts smoothly and precisely as you shoot.
Designed for great photography
Focus on small subjects, with a closest focusing distance of just 0.25m. A non-rotating front element makes using filters straightforward, and a manual focus ring enables manual override of focusing at any time.
Great image quality, whatever the subject
A Super Spectra Coating is used to reduce flare and improve sharpness, while a seven-bladed aperture provides smooth out-of-focus highlights for a more natural look and feel."
Compatibility, autofocus and focal length
This lens is designed and meant for Canon cameras with a smaller sensor (often referred to as 'APS-C') which means that the lens does not fit all camera models. By clicking on the link below you can make sure that the lens works with your camera model and you should do an additional check with your local dealer as well, before you buy the lens just to be sure.
The ability to use autofocus is available for all cameras.
The lens has a focal length of 18-55 mm. Since the lens is designed to be used on a camera with smaller sensor ('APS-C') the focal length will be equivalent to 29-88 mm on your Canon camera.
- See compatible cameras and perceived/equivalent focal length
- See a full camera compatibility chart for Canon EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM
- Read more about focal length and your field of view
- Read more on the cameras impact on the perceived focal length
Lens brightness and image stabilizer
The lens brightness and aperture value is f/3,5-5,6.
This lens is not considered to have a good aperture value and brightness. It is something to consider before you purchase the lens. To compensate for this you might, while photographing in less favorable light conditions, be forced to either use higher ISO settings (which generates more noise in the image), slower shutter speeds (which may give some motion blur) or flash lightning. Read more at the link below what lens brightness means to you as a photographer.
One thing to consider is that the lens has a variable brightness, which means that depending on how much you are zooming the lens will have a different maximum aperture value. At 18 mm the lens brightness is f/3,5 and at 55 mm the brightness is f/5,6. Through the link below you can read more about what this could mean for you as a photographer.
Inside the lens there is an image stabilizer, which helps to fend off possible movements and tremors. This is very positive and can be of great help in situations and conditions where the light is inadequate and not enough for decent shutter speeds.
- Read more about the aperture and lens brightness
- Read more about changing brightness at different focal lengths
- Read more about how an image stabilizer works
Filter and Lens Hood
The lens has a traditional filter thread on the front and its measuring 58 mm which also the filter you will use must have. If you use for example an UV filter can be a cheap insurance against scratches and dust.
There is a lens hood that fits the lens (model name "EW-63C") but unfortunately this is something that is not included when purchasing the lens and must be ordered and bought separately, as an accessory.
Images of Canon EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM
In order to see larger product images of the lens, click the link below.
Things to consider before buying
Below you will find some summarized points and facts that can be considered as the 'pros and cons' of this lens. These are based entirely on the facts and values that are accessible through the lens specification, so we highly recommend that you also read the reported reviews available (see tab 'Reviews'); this in order to get a more complete view of the lens and its capabilities. Reviewer opinions reflect the lens, its use and its optical performance in a more accurate way, but any way - here a few different points to consider before buying this lens.
- The price (more info)
- A versatile lens for those who own their first DSLR camera
- Has a built-in image stabilizer
- Light weight (205 gr)
- Works only on cameras with APS-C sensor
- Poor aperture value with its f/5,6
- A variable lens brightness at different focal lengths
- No lens hood is included
- The lens is not sealed against moisture and dust
Our Review Ratings
Time to grade Canon EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM.
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| Overall rating | 3 of 5 |
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