Best standard zoom lenses for Canon EF-S: Top Picks

Our catalogue lists 18 standard zoom lenses for Canon EF-S. General-purpose zooms that start at 35mm or wider and reach somewhere between 50mm and 135mm.

How these were picked. Lenses are ranked using only data in our catalogue: those with editorial notes first, then those with a photo and a buying link, newer release years where known, and faster maximum apertures as a tie-breaker. This is a data-based shortlist, not a hands-on test ranking.

1. 

   1.Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

   18-55mm · f/3.5 · Canon EF-S

   A common kit zoom for Canon APS-C cameras with image stabilization and a stepping motor, compact and light for everyday shooting.

   Specs Buy on Amazon Compare with EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM
2. 

   2.Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM

   18-135mm · f/3.5 · Canon EF-S

   A mid-range superzoom for Canon APS-C cameras with a stepping motor tuned for smoother video autofocus, plus optical stabilization.

   Specs Buy on Amazon Compare with EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
3. 

   3.Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

   15-85mm · f/3.5 · Canon EF-S

   A standard zoom for Canon APS-C cameras with a wide 24-136mm equivalent range, combining USM focusing with image stabilization.

   Specs Buy on Amazon Compare with EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
4. 

   4.Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

   17-55mm · f/2.8 · Canon EF-S

   A constant-aperture standard zoom for Canon APS-C cameras with stabilization and USM focusing. Often seen as the APS-C counterpart of a 24-70mm f/2.8.

   Specs Buy on Amazon Compare with EF-S 17-85mm F4-5.6 IS USM
5. 

   5.Canon EF-S 17-85mm F4-5.6 IS USM

   17-85mm · f/4.0 · Canon EF-S

   An older stabilized standard zoom for Canon APS-C cameras, wider-ranging than the basic 18-55 kit lens. USM focusing; succeeded by the 15-85.

   Specs Buy on Amazon Compare with EF-S18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
6. 

   6.Canon EF-S18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

   18-55mm · f/4.0 · Canon EF-S

   Canon's compact EF-S kit zoom with STM focus and image stabilization, introduced in 2017. It weighs about 215g and takes 58mm filters.

   Specs Compare with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 III
7. 

   7.Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 III

   18-55mm · f/3.5 · Canon EF-S

   The non-stabilized version of Canon's entry-level APS-C kit zoom. Light, with a plastic body.

   Specs Compare with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
8. 

   8.Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II

   18-55mm · f/3.5 · Canon EF-S

   A stabilized kit zoom from Canon's earlier APS-C DSLR generation, covering the standard range in a light plastic body.

   Specs Compare with EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS
9. 

   9.Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS

   18-135mm · f/3.5 · Canon EF-S

   The 2009 EF-S 18-135mm, the first of Canon's 18-135 travel zooms. It has image stabilization and covers about 29-216mm on APS-C.

   Specs Compare with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
10. 

    10.Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

    18-55mm · f/3.5 · Canon EF-S

    The 2007 stabilized EF-S kit zoom with a 58mm thread. It added optical image stabilization to the original design.

    Specs Compare with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II
11. 

    11.Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II

    18-55mm · f/3.5 · Canon EF-S

    The 2005 revision of Canon's EF-S kit zoom. It remains unstabilized and light.

    Specs Compare with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
12. 

    12.Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

    18-55mm · f/3.5 · Canon EF-S

    The original EF-S kit zoom, introduced with the first Digital Rebel in 2003. It has no stabilization and weighs only about 190g.

    Specs