Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Lens

The Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Lens is a compact, affordable standard zoom lens designed for APS-C-format Canon EF-S mount DSLR cameras, commonly bundled as a kit lens with Canon’s consumer Rebel-series bodies such as the EOS 600D/T3i and EOS 1100D/T3. It delivers a 28.8-88mm equivalent focal length range, making it a practical, general-purpose lens for everyday and travel photography.

Optically, the lens covers an 18-55mm focal range with a variable maximum aperture of f/3.5 at the wide end narrowing to f/5.6 at full telephoto. The 11-element, 9-group optical design includes one aspherical element, helping control spherical aberrations and distortion throughout the zoom range for consistent sharpness and clarity, along with Canon’s Super Spectra coating to reduce flare and ghosting for improved contrast and color accuracy. A rounded 6-blade diaphragm contributes to the lens’s background rendering.

Autofocus is handled by a Micro Motor system rather than Canon’s faster ring-type USM, delivering functional but somewhat slower focusing performance compared to USM-equipped lenses, with the front element rotating during focus. Canon’s Optical Image Stabilizer provides up to 4 stops of shake correction, helping photographers achieve sharper handheld results in lower light, a meaningful improvement over the unstabilized EF-S 18-55mm III variant.

A standout feature for a lens in this class is its close-focusing capability, with a minimum focusing distance of 0.25m (9.8 in.) maintained at all focal lengths, yielding a maximum magnification of 0.34x at 55mm, extendable to 0.64-0.23x with Canon’s EF12 II extension tube or 1.00-0.51x with the EF25 II. Build quality is largely plastic to keep the lens lightweight, though of high-quality construction, weighing approximately 200g (7.1 oz.) and measuring approximately 68.5 x 70mm (or up to 84.5mm fully extended). It accepts a 58mm filter thread (which rotates during focus) and is not compatible with Canon’s extenders.

The lens is compatible exclusively with Canon’s APS-C EF-S mount cameras and cannot be used on full-frame EF-mount bodies.

Key Features
– 18-55mm standard zoom for Canon EF-S mount (APS-C only)
– Approximately 28.8-88mm full-frame-equivalent field of view
– Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.6 (variable)
– 11 elements in 9 groups, including 1 aspherical element
– Super Spectra coating
– Micro Motor autofocus (front element rotates during focus)
– Optical Image Stabilizer, up to 4 stops of shake correction
– Rounded 6-blade diaphragm
– Minimum focusing distance of 0.25m (9.8 in.) at all focal lengths
– Maximum magnification of 0.34x (at 55mm)
– Compatible with EF12 II/EF25 II extension tubes for increased magnification
– 58mm filter thread (rotates during focus)
– Lightweight plastic construction (approximately 200g)
– Not compatible with Canon extenders
– Designed exclusively for Canon APS-C EF-S mount cameras