Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 III 18-55mm
The STM autofocus motor delivers smooth, near-silent operation ideal for video recording on APS-C DSLRs, while the 18-55mm focal range covers everyday wide-angle to short telephoto needs. Its bundled accessory kit, including wide-angle and macro converters, adds unusual versatility for a kit lens at this price point. This lens is best for beginners and casual travelers who need a lightweight, all-in-one starter package for general photography and video.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong build (99th percentile) 99th
- Strong af (87th percentile) 87th
- Strong stabilization (83rd percentile) 83rd
- Strong versatility (82nd percentile) 82nd
Cons
- Below average user sentiment (16th percentile)
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.
Based on 12 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 |
| Coating | optimized coating for digital imaging sensor |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/5.6 |
| Min Aperture | f/3.5 |
| Constant | No |
Build
| Mount | Canon EF-S |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weight | 0.1 kg / 0.1 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 58 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | STM |
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 280 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 III 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 | Sony G SELP28135G.SYX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 18-55mm | 17-28mm | 28-75mm | 10-18mm | 12-60mm | 28-135mm |
| Max Aperture | f/5.6 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/4 |
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Nikon Z | Sony E | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | false | false | false | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 59 | 450 | 540 | 260 | 320 | 420 |
| AF Type | STM | Stepping Motor | VXD | Autofocus | linear motor | SSM |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| 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 III 18-55mm | 87 | 58.6 | 99 | 74.5 | 54.9 | 58.8 | 15.8 | 82.3 | 52.6 | 83.2 |
| 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 |
| Sony G SELP28135G.SYX Compare | 94.2 | 80.2 | 75.5 | 31.2 | 87 | 69.9 | 63.3 | 92.4 | 50.2 | 92.8 |
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
