Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Autofocus Lens USA
Only fits on the EOS Digital Rebel series or 50D, 40D, 30D & 20D SLR cameras
The Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Autofocus Lens is a standard zoom lens that features the smaller size image circle, exclusively designed for EOS Digital Rebel and other cameras using the "APS-C" size sensor. The focal length is equivalent to approx. 28-90mm in 35mm format. This makes it ideal as a basic everyday lens.
This lens features Canon's optical Image Stabilizer technology, which provides up to 3-4 stop compensation for image blur caused by camera shake and slow shutter speeds. This ensures clear, crisp images, even in dim light.
Designed specifically for digital photography, the lens has specially shaped lens elements and Super Spectra coatings to suppress ghosting and flare, which can be caused by reflections off digital camera sensors. An exclusive optional lens hood can further reduce the incidence of flare.
Note! Only fits on the EOS Digital Rebel or 20D, 20Da, 30D, and 40D SLR cameras
- Uses optics designed to take full advantage of the small image circle and short back focus in EF-S lenses
- Optimized lens coatings minimize flare and ghosting which are prone to occur with digital cameras
- Compact and ultra-lightweight with impressive close-focusing ability of 9.8" (25 cm)
- Includes 1 Aspherical lens element
- Circular aperture diaphragm produces a more attractive appearance to out-of-focus background areas in photos shot using the widest apertures
Go To
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 18 - 55 mm |
| Aperture |
Maximum: f/3.5 - 5.6 Minimum: f/22 - 38 |
| Camera Mount Type | Canon EF-S |
| Format Compatibility | Canon (APS-C) |
| Angle of View | 74.2° - 27.5° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 9.8" (25 cm) |
| Magnification | 0.34x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:2.9 |
| Groups/Elements | 9/11 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 6 |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | Yes |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | No |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Filter Thread | 58 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 2.7 x 2.8" (6.86 x 7.11 cm) |
| Weight | 7.1 oz (201 g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 152 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
95%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Lightweight (106)
- Fast / accurate auto-focus (102)
- Easily interchangeable (84)
- Consistent output (57)
- Durable (33)
Cons
- Weak casing (27)
- Slow focus (16)
- Poor in low light (10)
- Blurry focus (3)
- Lens creep (3)
Best Uses
- General purpose (59)
- Landscape/scenery (45)
- Low light (22)
- Night photography (20)
- Sports/action (18)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Enthusiast (39), Photo enthusiast (39), Semi-pro photographer (15), Casual photographer (14), Professional (7)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (52), Yes (5)
Most Liked Positive Review
great value lens
If you're on a real budget and your needs are minimum then this lens should fit the bill nicely.I've replaced this lens with professional L zooms soon after obtaining this. I've done comparisons between this...Read complete review
If you're on a real budget and your needs are minimum then this lens should fit the bill nicely.I've replaced this lens with professional L zooms soon after obtaining this. I've done comparisons between this and the pro lenses. I've concluded that this lens is capable of producing excellent results. The key is knowing the strengths and weaknesses of this lens for obtaining the best results. Stopping the lens down to f/8 and using a tripod is going yield excellent pictures with some missed color saturation, contrast, and sharpness. Distortion is less noticeable at the middle of the zoom range. For handholding moving subjects, indoors, I recommend using a flash at about f/5. On bright days, outdoors, stop down again to about F/8 and you'll lessen problems like chromatic aberration and lens flare.As I said, I've done side-by-side comparisons (with the 24-70L) of the lens at its strongest setting (F/8) and most people found the pictures indistinguishable. Just push your pictures through developing software and boost the sharpness/color/contrast and you'll have professional looking pictures that can stand up to those rendered by Canon's L zooms. I wish I could share the link to the results but these reviews are limiting and so I'm hoping you can trust me.I have to give this lens 5 stars because, when used within its abilities this lens is capable of great things. You can't fault the lens for uses outside of its limitations because there's a reason why [$]lenses exist which are meant to handle other more challenging tasks.If you buy this lens, learn how to use it properly and you'll be rewarded with some great pictures!
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Casual Users Only!
My rating is based on an overall comparison of all available lenses and does not reflect the price of this lens. This lens is intended for users who aren't after top notch image quality and...Read complete review
My rating is based on an overall comparison of all available lenses and does not reflect the price of this lens. This lens is intended for users who aren't after top notch image quality and for them this lens offers an excellent value especially when purchased in a kit. For them, I'd rate this lens about 3 1/2-4 Stars
Overall image quality approaches good for most situations although it seems to suffer quite a bit of purple fringing when high contrast exists. Also it seems to be a tad soft towards the wider angle end of the zoom range. This lens did quite well capturing the family on Christmas morning but performed marginally for shooting landscapes while on vacation.
This is a really light lens and when paired with the XSi it is ideal for walking around without feeling encumbered and I would recommend it to the casual photographer for taking vacation photos. I'm not really too sure but the IS seems to allow shooting about 1 stop slower which when paired with a higher ISO allows for shooting interior shots in moderate to brightly light interiors.
I absolutely hate where the manual focus control is located for this lens. You basically have to turn about a 5mm textured ring at the very front of the lens and I found it very awkward to use. Also you can't override the auto focus without turning it off completely. The front of the lens rotates as it focuses which can cause problems when using a polarizing filter. This lens feels very cheap and I would suspect it suffers in the durability department. Also this lens won't work with the Canon full-frame sensors so if you upgrade from your APS-C sensor you won't be able to use this lens... not that you would want to continue using it.
Overall I would recommend this lens to only the most casual user. This lens allows for carefree shooting but seems poorly suited For anyone looking to grow as a photographer. If you are wanting a lens with a little more growth potential, I would recommend bypassing the cheap zoom lenses and going with an entry or mid level standard prime lenses instead.
Reviewed by 152 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
Previous | Next »
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- General Purpose
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Autofocus Lens:
I bought this to replace the same lens that cracked when I dropped my camera (hint...don't drop your camera). This is such a great everyday lens. It has decent zoom / wide angle, great clarity and color capture. I am a Canon lover!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Easy to use
- Everyday lens
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Autofocus Lens:
I'm a photographer in development... this is my everyday lens!
Very practical, fast enough for sport events and children
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
Comments about Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Autofocus Lens:
I bought this lens for a Photography class. It is a beautiful lens for a great price.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Cityscapes
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Autofocus Lens:
I bought this lens to try out a new camera I bought while in NYC. It's very light, fairly sharp, and the stabilizer works a treat. Only downfall is the moving/rotating front element and the manual focus ring; which moves the zoom when you touch it. I feel that after a number of uses (overriding the AF motor when it's set on), the gears may break. Overall, it's a good piece of kit for the starting enthusiast on a budget.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- Slow Focus
- Weak Casing
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Autofocus Lens:
I have used this lens with my mom's Rebel T1i... and it's a great basic lens for beginners. It gets the job done, and takes some decent photos. My only complaints is that it feels really cheap, the auto focus isn't that great, and it's starting to act a little weird (probably because it was subjected to my moms abuse.)
I wouldn't buy this lens if it didn't come with a rebel, you can probably find something better for a little more money. But for the price, yeah I suppose it's a good buy.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by Jeremycw1
Was this review helpful? Yes / No
- You may also flag this review
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Autofocus Lens:
This lens is faster than older model so it keeps up with my new camera.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- cheap
- Easy to use
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Tight Zoom Ring
Cons
- Rotating Front Element
Best Uses
- Beginner
- Casual photography
- Family Photos
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Street photography
Comments about Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Autofocus Lens:
Kit lenses have a bad rep in the photography world. To quote Kai from [@], the word "kit" has become some sort of derogatory term. "You kit lens!"... "You KIT!"Kit lenses of the past have been associated with cheap rickety construction, and horribly soft images.What people neglect to notice is that lens construction has had major improvements in the last 5-6 years. This lens is proof of that.The lens has solid construction, with little to no wobble in the zoom. It is surprisingly sharp for a budget zoom, and focuses quite fast.This also comes with IS, which theoretically compensates up to 4 stops of shutter speed. This is a great feature for casual photographers, who may not have the patience to train steady hands.Of course the lens has shortcomings. Plasticky barrel, rotating front element, no dedicated focus ring, and plastic mount. But what did you expect from a budget zoom? A casual photographer doesn't need heavy metal barrels. Autofocus will be used most of the time, so no need for fancy focus rings. The lens will also probably stay on the camera, so no need for metal mounts.Also good to note is that the zoom grip feels surprisingly tight and smooth.I am a photo enthusiast, and an aspiring professional. Of course, I am lusting for Canon's L line of lenses, but I bought this lens for my Dad to go along with my old 400D body as a Christmas present, because I know he would love it.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Range
Cons
- Blurry Focus
- Poor in Low Light
- Weak Casing
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Autofocus Lens:
Good image stabilization, poor construction, poor manual focusing, poor bokeh, medium optics, BUT: great price and great range. I use it because sometimes my 28mm f1.8 is not wide enough.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Slow Focus
- Weak Casing
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Autofocus Lens:
This lens can give very sharp images if focused manually, which i normally do if situation permits. The AF is ok, but not sharp like the higher-end lens, but that is not my beef. My main issue with this lens is the poor build quality. The lens feels very plasticky and fragile. It probably won't last very long if used regularly, hence I am giving it a 3 star. See the sample shot with this lens @ 18mm - f/8. I am happy with sharpness. I hope canon makes a more robust version of this lens at a fair price.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Images shared by sonnetg
Chesapeake Bay Sunset [Stevensville, MD]
Images shared by sonnetg
Chesapeake Bay Sunset
Was this review helpful? Yes / No
- You may also flag this review
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
Comments about Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Autofocus Lens:
I needed a wide-angle lens and this lens was recommended by a relative. It arrived right before Thanksgiving (a day earlier than promised) and had a great time taking pictures with it. It worked well and the pictures were quite sharp.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Autofocus Lens:
I had bought the Canon Rebel XTi at a time when the IS lenses weren't really available and were beginning to come into their own so I didn't have a wide angle IS lens to work with. The 28-300 Tamron IS lens didn't get wide enough for some landscape situations, so I decided to correct that situation.
This lens is little larger and heavier than the basic 18-55 EF-S lens that came with the XTi and also has the 58mm filter size so there's no added cost there.
Overall, AF is fast; optics are sharp; and the IS works like a dream. Definitely a good lens to add to the tool kit if you don't already have one.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Mediocre Quality
- Poor in Low Light
- Slow Focus
- Weak Casing
Best Uses
- Abusive Applications
Comments about Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Autofocus Lens:
I bought this lens for use on my T2i, knowing full well that it's junk. Optical quality is nothing special and you can get advanced point and shoots with better. Focus speed isn't great and build quality is seriously as low as it gets with a Canon product. I bought this for uses which don't require quality and have a high likelihood of breaking a lens. Frankly though, I wouldn't be shocked if it breaks itself.
If you're new to DSLRs and are only in it as a hobby, don't be fooled into thinking that a DSLR with the cheapest SLR lens is better than the most expensive point and shoot. It's not. Save a little longer and buy something like the Canon 15-85mm. You'll be much happier.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Lens Creep
- Weak Casing
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Autofocus Lens:
superb standard walk-about lens,..light-weight, and nice and wide..
the build quality could be better, but would wind up costing more so,...
This is my second 18-55IS III as I stupidly tried to remove some dust(no dust seals) from INSIDE the lens body and wound up destroying the poor lens in the process..
but I was so distraught over the loss that I bought another one poste haste!!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Autofocus Lens:
I am a freelance photographer and in one occasion I needed a wide angel lens, that did the trick well the 18-55mm 5.6 came in handy, it cover a wide enough angel and is a very light lens.
It may be a sheep lens but for the price you can does a whole lot.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
- No negatives for this pro
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
Comments about Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Autofocus Lens:
A very efficient lens when it comes to focusing,the physical weight is reasonable, and the overall build is excellent.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Autofocus Lens:
Gives a wider angle.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Autofocus Lens:
i;m not a professional but for me de results are very very goods
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Night Photography
- Sports/Action
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Autofocus Lens:
[...]. I really recomed it
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Autofocus Lens:
Excellent all-purpose lense.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Cheap
- Weak Casing
Best Uses
- Video
Comments about Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Autofocus Lens:
I purchased this lens just for the IS so I could do a quick movie. It worked as I expected. Ok
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-20
Previous | Next »
Filters & Filter Kits
- Price: $8.48
- Price: $29.90
Hoods & Covers
- Price: $14.95
Cases & Wraps
- Price: $11.99
Protective Wraps & Mats
- Price: $10.95
What's in the Box
- Front & Rear Lens Caps
- 1-Year Warranty
Why Shop at B&H
Make your online shopping trip personal with our online Live Chat representatives. You can easily reach an in-house expert while browsing our site for your shopping needs. We have the most highly-trained staff in the industry who are pros in their fields, and their professional expertise will help you get the most from your purchase.
Place your domestic order with us for shipment via UPS, FedEx Economy, or FedEx Priority by 4 PM ET Monday through Thursday or 11 AM ET Friday and your order will be shipped that day. Visit our Shipping Delivery Times page for further details. Delivery times are subject to payment verification.
We appreciate your purchase from us, and we understand that sometimes the products you buy don’t turn out to be the right choice for you. We guarantee your peace of mind with our 30-day return policy. With no standard restocking fee and few restrictions, you’ll enjoy a return process as easy as shopping with us. Please visit our Return Policy page for further details.
We’ve made iPhone and Android mobile apps available for your service and shopping convenience. Use filtered search to find and purchase almost any item we sell and ship worldwide. Download product manuals and guides for many popular items. See high-resolution product images in close-up detail. Manage wishlists and view order history. Visit our Mobile Apps page to download.
See sample Newsletter
Help
Company Information
B&H Resources
