Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II Lens
The Canon 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II is a 55–250mm f/4 lens designed for Canon EF mount cameras. Used copies start from $123.6 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II Lens
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Lens Overview — Canon 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
Key Features — Canon 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
55-250mm Telephoto Zoom: Covers a versatile telephoto range equivalent to approximately 88-400mm on a full-frame camera, making it suitable for sports, wildlife, and distant subjects.
APS-C Exclusive Design: Built specifically for Canon crop-sensor DSLRs, ensuring full image coverage across the entire zoom range on APS-C bodies without vignetting.
Optical Image Stabilization: Canon's IS II system compensates for camera shake during handheld shooting, which is especially valuable at the 250mm end of the zoom range.
f/4-5.6 Maximum Aperture: Opens to f/4 at the wide end, providing adequate light-gathering capability for outdoor telephoto shooting in good conditions.
Auto and Manual Focus: Supports both AF and MF operation, giving shooters the option to fine-tune focus manually when needed.
Canon EF Mount: Mounts on any Canon EF or EF-S compatible DSLR body, ensuring broad compatibility across Canon's APS-C lineup.
Lens Specifications — Canon 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Wildlife, Sports, Travel, Portrait |
| Lens Type | Zoom |
| Format | APS-C |
| Zoom/Prime | Zoom |
| Focal Length | 55–250mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/4 |
| Camera System | DSLR |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Focus Type | Auto, Manual |
| Image Stabilization | Optical |
| Filter Thread | 58mm |
Description — Canon 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
The Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II is a zoom telephoto lens built for APS-C format Canon DSLR cameras, covering a focal length range of 55mm to 250mm. With a maximum aperture of f/4, the lens provides reasonable light-gathering at the wide end of its range. Optical image stabilization is included, helping to minimize the impact of camera shake during handheld shooting — a welcome feature at longer focal lengths. The lens mounts via the Canon EF mount and supports both autofocus and manual focus operation.
Tipping the scales at just 390g, it is a lightweight companion for everyday telephoto shooting. The 58mm filter thread makes it straightforward to pair with popular filter sizes. Whether you're shooting at 55mm or stretching to the full 250mm, this lens offers a practical telephoto reach for APS-C DSLR shooters looking for a versatile zoom option.
Pros — Canon 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
- ✓Wide telephoto zoom range from 55mm to 250mm suits a variety of distant-subject shooting
- ✓Optical image stabilization helps reduce camera shake during handheld use
- ✓Lightweight at just 390g, making it comfortable for travel and extended use
Cons — Canon 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
- ✗Maximum aperture of f/4 at the wide end and f/5.6 at 250mm limits light-gathering in low-light conditions
- ✗APS-C-only lens format restricts compatibility — cannot be used on full-frame Canon bodies
- ✗No weather sealing information available in specifications, which may be a concern in challenging conditions
Reviews — Canon 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
- Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II Review
Imaging Resource · 2011-09-28 - Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II Lens Review
ePHOTOzine · 2015-05-19 - Re-review for 2023: Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS STM on an EOS R7
Christopher Frost - Ultimate Budget Telephoto Lens? Canon 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Video Lens Review
Naik Media
Videos — Canon 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens review (with samples) — Christopher Frost