This will be the Canon 18-55 review, a lens that I consider to be Canon’s best lens for beginning photographers.
Thankfully, Canon always offer this lens as a bundle to their entry level DSLR such as the Canon EOS Rebel T2i
I got mine bundled with the Canon EOS Rebel T2i
You can also buy this lens separately from either Amazon
So, what are you going to get for $170? Here it is:
- A sharp lens with good chromatic aberration, vignetting and distortion control
- Fast, accurate and silent focusing lens
- Image Stabilization feature that works up to 4 stops (I can get sharp shots even at 1/15th of a second)
Build quality is decent, but for the price and performance, you can’t really complain.
This is my walkaround lens when I want to go light AND sharp.
Highly recommended.
Read the full Canon 18-55 review below.
Specs • Performance • Sample Image • Conclusion • Where to Buy
Canon 18-55 Review – Specs
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Official Name:
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Focal Length Markings:
18, 24, 35 and 55mm
Features:
EF-S – Only compatible with a cropped sensor DSLR. You should not use this lens with a full frame DSLR or film SLR.
IS – Image Stabilization. With this feature turned on, I can get a sharp shot at 1/15th shutter speed.
Full Technical Specs (from Canon’s website):
| Technical Specifications | |
| Groups / Elements | 9 / 11 |
| Angle of View | 74 20′ – 27 50′ |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 6 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22-38 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 0.25m |
| Filter Thread | 58mm |
| Weight | 200g |
| Dimension (Diameter x Length) | ø68.5 x 70mm |
| Macro Magnification Ratio | 0.34X |
| Available at | Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama |
Optical Performance
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Canon 18-55 Review – Sharpness
Both center and border sharpness are excellent on this lens. To get the maximum sharpness, shoot at f/5.6 or above.
Sharpness Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Excellent
(4) Great
(3) Good
(2) Fair
(1) Poor
Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 EF-S IS Center Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/3.5-4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 18mm | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| 28mm | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Great |
| 55mm | n/a | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 EF-S IS Border Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/3.5-4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 18mm | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Great |
| 28mm | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Great |
| 55mm | n/a | Great | Great | Great |
Distortion
There is a minor barrel distortion at 18mm that can be easily corrected in post processing.
Above 18mm, distortion (both barrel and pincushion) can be ignored.
See the distortion grid test below at 18mm, 28mm and 55mm.
Vignetting
As usual, vignetting is only visible at 18mm f/3.5 and 28mm f/4. At other focal length at any aperture, vignetting is negligible.
See my vignetting test chart below.
Chromatic Aberration
This lens shows excellent chromatic aberration control at any focal length at any aperture (even at 18mm f/3.5).
Chromatic Aberration Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Negligible
(4) Very Low
(3) Low
(2) High
(1) Very High
Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 EF-S IS Chromatic Aberration
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/3.5-4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 18mm | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low |
| 28mm | Very Low | Very Low | Low | High |
| 55mm | Negligible | Low | Very Low | Very Low |
Build Quality
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Materials
Good plastic build, Made in Japan.
Zoom Ring
The zoom ring is very smooth and responsive. The lens is shorter at 24mm and longest at 18mm.
The inner lens tube wobble slightly, but it shouldn’t be a problem.
Focusing
The autofocus is fast, accurate and silent for this kind of lens (which really surprises me).
Front element rotates, so it will be difficult to use a polarizing filter.
Image Stabilization
The Image Stabilization works like a charm (Canon claims it can work up to 4 f-stops). I can get a sharp shot even at 1/15th of a second.
Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 EF-S IS Compatibility
Being an EF-S lens, this lens is only compatible with a cropped sensor DSLR. You shouldn’t use this lens with a full frame DSLR like the Canon 5D Mark II
Sample Image
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Below are some sample shots that I took for this Canon 18-55 review. Click on any thumbnail to open the image.
Get the best price online from these sites: Amazon
Conclusion
Back to: Menu • Introduction
As I have said in the beginning of this Canon 18-55 review, this lens is simply the best lens for beginner photographer.
It combines excellent image quality and solid performance in a compact, lightweight package.
But the best part is: you get ALL of them for less than $200
Drawbacks
- Average build quality (plastic, but lightweight)
- Rotating front element making it difficult to use polarizing filter
- Slight barrel distortion at 18mm
- Minor vignetting at 18mm f/3.5 and 28mm f/4
Positives
- Excellent optical sharpness throughout the zoom range
- Good distortion control overall
- Good vignetting control overall
- Superb chromatic aberration control
- Compact and lightweight
- Image Stabilization (IS) works like a charm
- Autofocus is fast, accurate and silent
- Excellent value for money
Good For
- First zoom lens for beginner
- Walk around lens that does not sacrifice image quality for zoom range
- Everyday photography in sufficient light condition (landscape, portraiture, travel, etc.)
Not So Good For
- Serious or professional photography who demands the maximum optical quality (and willing to pay the expensive price) from a lens
- Fast moving subject in low light. If you need to shoot in low light but under a tight budget, grab this lens and the Canon 50mm f/1.8 EF II Lens
What Others Are Saying…
by “L. Meyer”
Amazing for the price! I decided to buy this lens just because I didn’t have an IS lens in this focal length. I already owned the Canon EF-S 55-250 IS lens, and have been pleasantly surprised at how well the IS works, and the sharpness of the pictures it produces…
Click here to read the full review
by “Mr. A Pomeroy”
This lens has caused a mild stir on the internet in the last few months. To my mind, it’s the zoom equivalent of Canon’s 50mm f1.8, in the sense that it’s very cheap but performs very well…
Click here to read the full review
Where to Buy Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 EF-S IS Lens
Support this site, buy the Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 EF-S IS from these sites (best price online):
See the related post below if you are looking for more Canon lenses.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this Canon 18-55 Review and can make good purchasing decision based on this review.
| Lens Score | |
|---|---|
| Optical Quality | |
| Build Quality | |
| Value for Money | |
| Overall | |
Tags: canon 18-55 review
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