Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
The Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM is a 18–55mm f/3.5 lens designed for Canon EF-S mount cameras. Used copies start from $86.4 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
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Lens Overview — Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
Key Features — Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
18–55mm Zoom Range: Covers wide-angle to short telephoto in a single lens, handling everyday subjects from landscapes to portraits.
Optical Image Stabilization: Helps reduce the effect of camera shake during handheld shooting, particularly useful at longer focal lengths or in low light.
STM Autofocus Motor: Stepping motor delivers smooth, near-silent autofocus well suited to both stills and video shooting.
Canon EF-S Mount: Designed specifically for Canon APS-C DSLRs, providing an effective focal length range of approximately 29–88mm on a crop sensor body.
205g Lightweight Build: Compact and light enough to carry all day without adding meaningful weight to a travel or everyday kit.
Auto and Manual Focus: Supports full-time manual focus override, giving shooters direct control when precision is needed.
Lens Specifications — Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Travel, Portrait, Landscape |
| Lens Type | Zoom |
| Format | APS-C |
| Zoom/Prime | Zoom |
| Focal Length | 18–55mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/3.5 |
| Camera System | DSLR |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF-S |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Focus Type | Auto, Manual |
| Image Stabilization | Optical |
| Filter Thread | 58mm |
Description — Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
The Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM is a zoom lens designed for APS-C format DSLR cameras using the Canon EF mount. It covers a 18–55mm focal length range, offering flexibility across a variety of standard shooting situations. The variable maximum aperture spans f/3.5 at the wide end to f/5.6 at the telephoto end.
Optical image stabilization is built in, helping to manage camera shake during handheld use. The lens supports both auto and manual focus, giving users control over how focus is acquired in different shooting conditions. Weighing just 215g, it is a light and portable option well-suited to everyday use.
The 58mm filter thread makes accessorizing straightforward. Whether you're shooting stills or video, this lens provides a practical range for general-purpose photography on Canon's APS-C DSLR platform.
Pros — Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
- ✓Lightweight at 215g, making it easy to carry for extended shooting sessions
- ✓Optical image stabilization helps reduce the impact of camera shake during handheld use
- ✓Versatile 18–55mm zoom range covers wide to short telephoto in a single lens
Cons — Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
- ✗Variable maximum aperture of f/3.5–5.6 limits light-gathering ability, especially at 55mm
- ✗APS-C-only format (Canon EF mount) means it cannot be used on full-frame Canon EF-mount bodies
- ✗No minimum aperture or minimum focus distance data available in specifications to assess macro or creative depth-of-field capabilities
Videos — Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens review: How good is Canon's new kit lens? — Christopher Frost
Frequently Asked Questions — Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
What cameras is this lens compatible with?+
This lens uses the Canon EF mount and is designed for APS-C format DSLR cameras. It is specifically built for Canon's crop-sensor DSLR lineup. It is not intended for full-frame Canon EF-mount bodies.
Does this lens have image stabilization?+
Yes, the lens features optical image stabilization. This helps reduce the effects of camera shake during handheld shooting, which is particularly useful at longer focal lengths or in lower-light environments.
What filter size does this lens accept?+
The lens has a 58mm filter thread, which is a common and widely available size. This makes it easy to find compatible filters such as UV, polarizing, or ND filters.
How heavy is this lens?+
The Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM weighs 215g, making it one of the lighter options in a standard zoom configuration. This contributes to an overall compact and portable kit.
What is the aperture range of this lens?+
The lens has a variable maximum aperture of f/3.5 at 18mm and f/5.6 at 55mm. This means the maximum aperture narrows as you zoom in toward the longer end of the focal length range.
Can I use manual focus with this lens?+
Yes, the lens supports both auto and manual focus modes. Shooters can switch to manual focus when more precise control is needed, such as in macro-style compositions or low-contrast scenes where autofocus may struggle.