Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens
The Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 is a 18–55mm f/3.5 lens designed for Canon EF mount cameras. Check GearFocus for current availability, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens
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Lens Overview — Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
Key Features — Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
18-55mm Zoom Range: Covers wide-angle to short-telephoto in a single lens, making it practical for everyday photography including landscapes, portraits, and street.
Optical Image Stabilization: Reduces the effect of camera shake during handheld shooting, particularly useful in lower light or at the longer end of the zoom range.
f/3.5-5.6 Maximum Aperture: Variable maximum aperture delivers reasonable light-gathering at the wide end, typical for a kit-class zoom lens.
Canon EF-S Mount: Designed exclusively for Canon APS-C DSLRs, providing full electronic communication with compatible Canon crop-sensor bodies.
Autofocus with Manual Override: Supports both autofocus and manual focus, giving shooters the flexibility to switch control modes depending on the situation.
Lightweight 200g Build: At just 200g, this lens adds minimal weight to a camera kit, making it well-suited for all-day carry.
Lens Specifications — Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Travel, Beginner-Friendly, Street, Portrait |
| Lens Type | Zoom |
| Format | APS-C / DX |
| Zoom/Prime | Zoom |
| Focal Length | 18–55mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/3.5 |
| Camera System | DSLR |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Focus Type | Auto, Manual |
| Image Stabilization | Optical |
| Filter Thread | 58mm |
Description — Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
The Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 is a standard zoom lens engineered for Canon APS-C DSLR cameras using the Canon EF mount. It spans a focal length range of 18mm to 55mm, covering wide-angle through short-telephoto perspectives to suit a broad range of everyday photographic needs. The lens opens to a maximum aperture of f/3.5 at 18mm, with the aperture being variable across the zoom range. Optical image stabilization is built in, providing handheld shooting assistance across the focal range.
Both autofocus and manual focus are supported, offering shooting flexibility. With a total weight of just 200g, this lens is among the more portable zoom options for the Canon APS-C DSLR system. Its 58mm filter thread is compatible with a wide selection of standard photographic filters.
This lens is formatted specifically for APS-C sensors and is not designed for use on full-frame Canon bodies.
Pros — Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
- ✓Covers an 18–55mm focal length range, offering versatility across wide and short-telephoto shooting situations
- ✓Optical image stabilization helps reduce camera shake during handheld shooting
- ✓Very lightweight at just 200g, making it easy to carry for extended periods
Cons — Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
- ✗APS-C-only format means it is not compatible with full-frame Canon DSLR bodies
- ✗Variable maximum aperture (f/3.5–5.6) means light intake narrows as you zoom toward 55mm
- ✗No minimum aperture, minimum focus distance, or optical design data confirmed in specifications
Reviews — Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
- Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Review
Imaging Resource - Canon EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS review
DPReview - Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Review
ePHOTOzine - Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS ii Lens Review...How good is your kit lens? (with sample pictures)
Christopher Frost - Canon 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens review and comparison - the newest kit lens!
Christopher Frost
Videos — Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
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
Which camera bodies is this lens compatible with?+
This lens uses the Canon EF mount and is designed for APS-C format Canon DSLR cameras. It is not intended for full-frame Canon DSLRs, as it is an EF-S format lens built specifically for crop-sensor bodies.
Does this lens have image stabilization?+
Yes, the specifications confirm optical image stabilization is included. This helps reduce the effect of camera shake during handheld shooting across the 18–55mm zoom range.
Can I use this lens with manual focus?+
Yes. The lens supports both autofocus and manual focus modes, as confirmed in the specifications. This gives you the flexibility to switch between automatic and hands-on focus control as your shooting situation requires.
What filter size does this lens use?+
The Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 has a 58mm filter thread, which is a common size that makes it straightforward to find compatible filters such as UV, polarizers, and ND filters.
How heavy is this lens?+
The lens weighs 200g according to the specifications, making it one of the lighter standard zoom options available for Canon APS-C DSLRs. This low weight makes it well-suited for travel or all-day shooting.