Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens

The Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens is a compact, lightweight standard zoom lens designed for APS-C-format Canon EF-S mount DSLR cameras, introduced in 2017 as an approximately 20% smaller, more compact successor to the earlier EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM. It’s a sleek, flexible option for everyday shooting, spanning a 28.8-88mm equivalent focal length range that covers wide-angle through portrait-length perspectives.

Optically, the lens covers an 18-55mm focal range with a variable maximum aperture of f/4 at the wide end narrowing to f/5.6 at full telephoto. The 12-element, 10-group optical design includes one aspherical element to improve sharpness and resolution by minimizing spherical aberrations and distortion, along with Canon’s Super Spectra coating to suppress flare and ghosting. A rounded 7-blade diaphragm contributes to pleasing background rendering.

Autofocus is handled by a lead screw-type STM (stepping motor), delivering smooth, near-silent autofocus performance complemented by advanced AF algorithms and a high-speed CPU, along with full-time manual focus override. Canon’s Optical Image Stabilizer provides up to 4 stops of shake correction (CIPA standard), helping photographers achieve sharper handheld results in dimmer conditions.

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.) at all focal lengths, yielding a maximum magnification of 0.25x at 55mm, extendable to 0.55-0.23x with Canon’s EF12 II extension tube or 0.91-0.51x with the EF25 II (though not compatible at wide-angle settings). The lens is not compatible with Canon’s extenders.

Build quality uses a rotary, extending zoom design with inner focusing, keeping the front element from rotating during focus, along with a plastic mounting plate rather than metal. The lens measures approximately 66.5 x 61.8mm and weighs approximately 215g, notably more compact than its f/3.5-5.6 predecessor, and accepts a 58mm filter thread. It does not include weather sealing, and a lens hood (EW-63C) is sold separately.

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/4-5.6 (variable)
– 12 elements in 10 groups, including 1 aspherical element
– Super Spectra coating
– Lead screw-type STM autofocus with full-time manual focus override
– Optical Image Stabilizer, up to 4 stops of shake correction (CIPA)
– Rounded 7-blade diaphragm
– Minimum focusing distance of 0.25m (9.8 in.) at all focal lengths
– Maximum magnification of 0.25x (at 55mm)
– Compatible with EF12 II/EF25 II extension tubes (not at wide-angle settings)
– Not compatible with Canon extenders
– 58mm filter thread (lens hood EW-63C sold separately)
– Compact, lightweight design (approximately 215g)
– Not weather-sealed
– Designed exclusively for Canon APS-C EF-S mount cameras