Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II 18-55mm
Bundled with a 0.45x wide-angle adapter, close-up lenses, and a three-piece filter kit, this zoom lens offers creative versatility beyond standard kit optics. Its optical 4-stop stabilization and STM autofocus enable smooth handheld video, reflected in a 60.4 video score. Best for Canon APS-C beginners seeking an affordable, all-in-one package for instant wide-angle and macro effects.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
Once a top contender, now outclassed by newer superzooms that offer more range and better optics for the same money. Buy it on sale or look elsewhere.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Solid build quality with weather sealing 93rd
- Fast and accurate autofocus 85th
- Excellent image stabilization 82nd
Cons
- Noticeably soft at the long end
- Heavy vignetting wide open
- Price feels steep given the optical compromises
- Newer competitors offer more range for less money
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
- Q1 202672/100
Buyers generally praise the lens for its value, image stabilization, and image quality for the price. A few report mixed experiences with durability and zoom range.
- Image stabilization works well, especially in low light, and is quiet.
- Good value for price; surprisingly good image quality for a kit lens.
- Cheap construction; lightweight plastic body, but some report decent toughness.
- One review indicates the lens worked well only for a limited time before failing.
- Q2 202550/100
Reviews are mixed: some praise the lens as a great starter, while others report autofocus failure and note plastic mounts and missing serial number.
- Works perfectly as a replacement lens and great starter lens.
- Original lens ceased to autofocus, requiring replacement.
- Plastic mounts with limited metal contact raise durability concerns.
- Serial number not printed on lens, only in photo metadata.
- Q4 202250/100
Mixed reviews: some praise fast autofocus and wide zoom, but a serious defect report notes soft focus and field curvature.
- Fast autofocus and wide-angle zoom range praised by satisfied buyers.
- Field curvature causes soft, lifeless focus; center and edge sharpness mismatched.
- Good condition, prompt delivery, and useful image stabilizer noted.
- Enjoyable for serious work, exceptional quality described by users.
- Q4 201450/100
Buyers praised the camera as a great choice and fun to use, but one reviewer strongly criticized the included kit lens for poor build quality and loud noise during video.
- Camera praised as best choice, takes beautiful pictures, and is fun to use.
- Kit lens criticized for cheap build, loud noise, and being useless for video without external mic.
- One buyer happy with camera but disappointed with kit lens, had to buy STM version for video.
- Lens described as nice, though user still learning to use it.
- Q2 201480/100
Buyers praised this lens for versatility in portraits and everyday use, especially for its low weight and value. Some noted it's not the fastest lens but good for the price.
- Versatility for portraits and general photography, often used as a walk-around lens.
- Good value for the price, inexpensive compared to other lenses owned.
- Low weight and compact, ideal for daily or travel use.
- Not the fastest lens, but adequate for standard focal range photography.
- Q1 201432/100
Buyers found this lens lightweight with good compatibility and silent STM autofocus, but many reported soft corners, slow autofocus, and reliability concerns.
- Top corners extremely soft; one reviewer noted it was worse than the old version.
- Autofocus is slow and easily broken; one unit had autofocus failure.
- Silent STM motor praised for video; lightweight and good compatibility with Canon DSLRs.
- Build quality improved over original (tighter focus ring, pinch-type cap) but still feels cheap.
- Q1 201370/100
Q1 2013 buyers find this kit lens a good, versatile starter for learning DSLR, though autofocus hunts and sharpness is soft.
- Great versatile starter lens for learning DSLR photography.
- Autofocus hunts and is slow, especially in low light.
- Sharpness is soft compared to higher-end alternatives.
- Build feels cheap, though expected for kit lens price.
- Q4 201277/100
Buyers found this lens sharp, versatile, and a good value, but noted noisy autofocus for video and a flimsy build.
- Sharp images and good versatility for macro, portraits, and outdoor use.
- Autofocus noise is loud and distracting when recording video.
- Build feels flimsy but delivers decent quality for the low price.
- Auto-focus slow and misses in low light; images not as sharp as preferred.
- Q3 201267/100
Buyers praised the lens as lightweight, sharp, and affordable, though some found the kit lens limited for specific uses like portraits or night shots.
- Lightweight, sharp image quality, and good value for beginners.
- Sharp at 18mm but image quality drops off at 55mm.
- Kit lens not ideal for portraits; some prefer prime lenses instead.
- Limited in low-light situations and durability concerns if dropped.
- Q2 2012100/100
Buyers praised the lens for sharp photos, fast autofocus, and good value. Some noted autofocus hunting in low contrast conditions.
- Sharp, crisp photos and good image quality
- Fast and precise autofocus performance
- Great value and affordable price
- Autofocus may hunt or fail in low contrast scenes
- Q1 201250/100
Buyers praised the lens for indoor shots and value, but reported autofocus failure after a year and poor photo quality.
- Great for indoor shots and good value for personal photography.
- Autofocus stopped working after a year; build quality concerns.
- Disappointed with photo quality; suggests buying a different lens instead.
- Good image quality initially, but reliability issues over time.
- Q4 201170/100
Buyers praised the lens as a great starter with excellent image quality and value, but one reported autofocus degradation and dust accumulation over time.
- Excellent image quality and value for a starter lens.
- Autofocus became slow and inaccurate over time.
- Dust and hairs accumulated on sensor despite never removing lens.
- Good low-light performance and flexibility for outdoor shooting.
- Q3 201180/100
Buyers in Q3 2011 found the lens ideal for beginners, versatile, and sharp, though some noted its low cost and potential inconsistency.
- Ideal for beginners, light and versatile
- Fast and sharp image quality
- Good value, inexpensive lens
- Inconsistent quality noted, good copies praised
- Q1 201160/100
Buyers find this a decent starter lens with good IS and range, but cite small apertures, fish-eye effect, and a need to upgrade for better quality.
- Good for beginners but prompts upgrade to prime lenses for larger apertures.
- Small apertures require raising ISO; limits low-light and creative photography.
- Fish-eye effect noted in some shots, distorting images unexpectedly.
- Image stabilization present but considered unnecessary by some reviewers.
- Q3 201073/100
Buyers found this lens a good value walk-around lens with sharp images and IS, but noted softness at wide apertures and indoor blur.
- Good value, sharp images, effective IS, lightweight, and convenient for travel.
- Sharpness is decent but best at f/8 and up; not as sharp as higher-end lenses.
- Indoor blur even with IS; slow aperture (f/5.6 at 55mm) limits low-light use.
- Decent starter lens but quickly outgrown; better options exist for body-only buyers.
- Q2 201093/100
Buyers praised this lens as a versatile, affordable entry-level option for macro, landscape, and portrait photography, ideal for beginners.
- Versatile for macro, landscape, and portrait photography.
- Good value and affordable entry-level lens.
- Works well for short focal length subjects like trains and architecture.
- May be outgrown as skills advance, but useful for learning.
- Q1 201075/100
Buyers praised the lens as a great value for beginners, with good image quality and IS. Some noted limitations: lack of USM, small aperture, and short focal range.
- Excellent value and image quality for the price, especially for beginners.
- Lack of USM motor and small aperture (f/5.6 at 55mm) are common drawbacks.
- Image stabilization (IS) is effective, adding two stops of safe shutter speeds.
- Focus range sometimes insufficient; 55mm may not be enough for some users.
- Q4 200980/100
Buyers praised the lens as a good value, lightweight, and versatile for everyday use, but noted reliability issues with stabilization and a rotating barrel that complicates filter use.
- Good value, lightweight, and versatile for everyday photography.
- Stabilization broke after about 3000 shots; reliability concern.
- Rotating barrel makes using polarizer and ND filters time-consuming.
- Refurbished lens arrived in like-new condition and works perfectly.
Based on 113 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 18 |
| Focal Length Max | 55 |
| Elements | 11 |
| Groups | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 |
| ED Elements | 1 |
| Coating | Super Spectra coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | No |
| Diaphragm Blades | 6 |
Build
| Mount | Canon EF-S |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | No |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.4 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 58 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Micro Motor |
| Stabilization | Yes |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 250 |
| Max Magnification | 0.34x |
vs Competition
The landscape has shifted dramatically since this lens first arrived. The Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS is the most direct threat, offering nearly double the reach in a similarly sized package with surprisingly good sharpness across the frame. The Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD is another all-in-one that beats this lens on versatility and autofocus speed. If you are on Canon RF, the RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM is in a different class optically, though it costs more and lacks the telephoto reach. The Panasonic Leica 50-200mm f/2.8-4 and Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 are older designs but still hold up well for sharpness, and both can be found used at prices that make this lens look overpriced.
| Spec | Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II 18-55mm | Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2 | Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 | Fujifilm XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 18-55mm | 17-28mm | 28-75mm | 10-18mm | 12-60mm | 18mm |
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/16 |
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Nikon Z | Sony E | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Fujifilm X |
| Stabilization | true | false | false | false | true | false |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 200 | 450 | 540 | 260 | 320 | 370 |
| AF Type | Micro Motor | Stepping Motor | VXD | Autofocus | linear motor | Linear motor |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | prime |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II 18-55mm | 54.6 | 61.1 | 84.6 | 48.5 | 64.4 | 79.8 | 44.2 | 82.3 | 77.9 | 92.8 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 87 | 88.1 | 73.6 | 86.3 | 87 | 85.8 | 90.8 | 68.1 | 64.6 | 38 |
| Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2 Compare | 54.6 | 88.1 | 67.2 | 87.3 | 87.8 | 85.8 | 80.4 | 78.2 | 83.1 | 38 |
| Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 54.6 | 83.5 | 87.3 | 93.3 | 81.6 | 85.8 | 80.4 | 69.1 | 68.8 | 38 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 Compare | 98 | 88.1 | 83.1 | 50.4 | 90.2 | 85.8 | 44.2 | 93.1 | 63.5 | 83.2 |
| Fujifilm XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR Compare | 98 | 41.2 | 79.4 | 84.1 | 83.4 | 45.8 | 90.8 | 33.6 | 87.9 | 38 |
Price
Value & Pricing
At its current price, this lens is a tougher sell than it was at launch. The Sigma 16-300mm and Tamron 18-300mm both cover a much wider focal range for similar or less money, and they do it without the same drop-off in sharpness at the telephoto end. You are paying a premium for the build quality and stabilization, but optically it no longer stands out in a crowded field. If you can find it on sale, the calculus shifts, but at full retail it is hard to recommend over the newer alternatives.
B&H Photo 1 offer From CA$328
Amazon.ca 1 offer From CA$529
Price History
Read more
Verdict
A capable lens that has been overtaken by a wave of more versatile and better-value competitors. It is still a good performer in a vacuum, but the market has moved on, and the score reflects that new reality. Worth considering only if you find it at a significant discount.
