Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM vs Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM

Side-by-side comparison from our catalogue data. Better values are highlighted only where a clear difference exists.

Canon

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

Buy on Amazon

Canon

EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM

Buy on Amazon

Verdict at a glance

Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM is faster by 0.4 stops (f/3.5 vs f/4.0), letting in more light.
Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM is lighter by 105g.
Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM goes wider (18mm vs 55mm).
Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM reaches further (250mm vs 135mm).
Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM is the newer design (2013 vs 2012).

Specification comparison
Spec	EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM	EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM
Brand	Canon	Canon
Mount	Canon EF-S	Canon EF-S
Type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length	18-135mm (wider)	55-250mm
Max aperture	f/3.5 (faster)	f/4.0
Released	2012	2013
Blades	7	7
Format	aps-c	aps-c
Groups	12	12
Af motor	STM	STM
Elements	16	15
Weight g	480.0	375.0 (lighter)
Filter mm	67	58
Length mm	96.0	111.2
Stabilized	Yes	Yes
Diameter mm	76.6	70.0
Min focus m	0.39 (closer focusing)	0.85
Max magnification	0.28	0.29

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

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

Pros

Wide 18-135mm range
Quiet STM focusing
Image stabilization
One-lens versatility

Cons

Variable aperture
Plastic build
Corner softness at long focal lengths

Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM

The EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM is a telephoto zoom for Canon APS-C cameras giving about an 88-400mm equivalent view, with stabilization and a stepping motor.

Pros

Image stabilization
Quiet STM focusing
Light (375 g)

Cons

Variable aperture
Soft at the long end
Plastic construction

More comparisons for Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM

Compare other lenses or browse our best-of guides.