Best Rated Digital Camera World

This telephoto zoom lens is designed with Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer technology while retaining compactness and lightness, in response to demands of photographers. This high zoom ratio lens is equivalent to a focal length of 88-400mm in the 35mm format (when used on Canon EOS cameras compatible with EF-S lenses), and the image stabilizer effect equivalent to a shutter speed about 4 stops faster than the same size lens without Image Stabilizer. In other words, if the slowest shutter speed you could formerly hold a 250mm lens steadily was 1/250th of a second, with Canon's 4-stop stabilization correction, you could hand-hold at shutter speeds as slow as 1/15th of a second. It also uses a UD-glass lens element to correct chromatic aberration for excellent image quality throughout the zoom range. This new EF-S telephoto lens with great features delivers excellent performance at an affordable price for all photographers.

User Reviews about Canon EF-S 55-250mm f 4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

I am new to DSLR photography having just moved from Canon point-and-shoot in September 2009. I purchased the Canon XSI with kit lens EFS 18-55mm and in the same order I bought the EFS 55-250mm. For the first couple months I used the full auto function and was disappointed in the results because they were not any better than the Canon PowerShot -- not bad but I expected more. Then I bought a DVD beginner course in DSLR photography for the XSI and started using the 'creative modes' and my pictures improved a great deal. I bought two more lenses the Canon EF mm50 1.4 and for some reason the competing EF mm50 1.8.

So for the last few months I have been taking many pictures with all four lenses in series starting with wide aperture and incrementally closing, which of course changes shutter speed and depth of field. Then I would use the shutter priority setting and play around with the white balance and the ISO setting. Then I carefully studied the pictures on my wide screen computer monitor and increased magnification to look more closely at the edges and color. I would try to determine for each lens the affect of aperture, shutter, ISO, white balance on the quality of the pictures.

I have found that I can get good and bad pictures from any of the lenses. However, the EFS 55-250 is probably the most consistent in terms of decent quality -- a little better than the kit lens. And of course it is a telephoto lens. The mm50 1.8 takes very sharp pictures but the mm50 1.4 can really take some beautiful color and the bokeh is wonderful. I like them all!

I guess that as I get more experience I could change my mind and of course there is still the wonderful world of the 'L' lenses. -- It takes patience to test a lens

Very nice addition to the stable of lenses. It really fills the gap between the kit lens and the super telephoto lens. Works well and is nice and light. -- EF-S 55-250mm f4/5.6 lens

Great intro lens with little to no issues. Slightly noisy in AF mode, but a beautiful lens that takes exceptional pictures. Get it now, you won't be displeased. -- Great Lens!

Bought this for my Canon T1i. Being an old nikon slr user with some great lenses, I wanted to use a reflex nikkor 500mm manual focus lens with the Canon digital using the mount conversion and manual focus. Well, it was almost impossible to obtain sharp focus and pictures were disappointing. Saw this Canon AF and IS lens on Amazon and decided to give it a try. From day one, I was getting great sharp photos again, even at max zoom of 250mm and handheld. We have some Sandhill Cranes wintering over here and this Canon autofocus IS lens did not disappoint. Was able to get some shots that looked like a National Geographic photographer had taken them. If your hands are not as steady as they used to be, and your eyes are getting weaker, this lens is your great equalizer. -- Excellent value and performance

With this lens, you can take a photo for a remote object. It's very useful when you can't approach it. For example, you can take a photo for a squirrel 3 meters away. -- Good Lens