Photo: Carlosdisogra (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Quick answer
The Canon EF 22–55mm lens is a ultra-wide to standard zoom lens covering 22-55mm at f/4.0 for the Canon EF mount. Its moderate maximum aperture works best in good light or with a higher ISO.
About this lens
The Canon EF 22–55mm lens is a standard zoom lens covering 22-55mm at f/4 for Canon EF mount cameras. The range covers everything from wide scenes to portraits, so it works as a general-purpose lens.
Canon EF 22–55mm lens specifications
- Brand
- Canon
- Mount
- Canon EF
- Focal length
- 22-55mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/4.0
- Lens type
- Zoom
- Released
- 1998
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.35 m
- Filter thread
- 58 mm
- Weight
- 175 g
- Length
- 59 mm
- Diameter
- 66 mm
Specification source: wikidata.org
What can you shoot with the Canon EF 22–55mm lens?
At 22-55mm this is a ultra-wide to standard zoom, which typically suits:
- Landscapes and big skies
- Architecture and interiors
- Astrophotography and night skies
- Landscapes and cityscapes
- Street and travel photography
Its moderate maximum aperture works best in good light or with a higher ISO.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 22–55mm | 36.2–78.6° | 42.9–89° |
| APS-C | 1.6x | 35–88mm | 23.1–54.2° | 27.6–63.2° |
Frequently asked questions
What mount does the Canon EF 22–55mm lens use?
It uses the Canon EF mount, so it fits Canon EF cameras directly.
What is the focal length of the Canon EF 22–55mm lens?
It zooms across 22-55mm with a maximum aperture of f/4.0. That makes it a ultra-wide to standard lens.
Is the Canon EF 22–55mm lens a prime or a zoom lens?
It is a zoom lens covering 22-55mm, so you can reframe without moving. Its maximum aperture is f/4.0.
What is the Canon EF 22–55mm lens equivalent on a crop sensor?
On APS-C (1.6x crop) it frames like 35–88mm on full frame, with a 23.1–54.2° horizontal and 27.6–63.2° diagonal field of view. These figures are calculated from the focal length and crop factor.
Which cameras does the Canon EF 22–55mm lens fit?
Any Canon EF-mount camera, including Canon EOS 1D X, Canon EOS 5D, Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EOS 5D Mark III, and Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and 7 more.
Alternatives for Canon EF from other brands
All Canon EF lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
More Canon lenses for Canon EF
All Canon lensesOther 22-55mm lenses
Browse by focal length: 22mm lenses, 55mm lenses