Quick answer
The Canon EF 22-55mm f/4-5.6 USM is a ultra-wide to standard zoom lens covering 22-55mm at f/22.0 for the Canon EF mount. Its smaller maximum aperture favours daylight shooting and keeps the lens compact.
About this lens
The Canon EF 22-55mm f/4-5.6 USM is a standard zoom lens covering 22-55mm at f/4-5.6 for Canon EF mount cameras, with ultrasonic-motor autofocus. The range covers everything from wide scenes to portraits, so it works as a general-purpose lens.
Canon EF 22-55mm f/4-5.6 USM specifications
- Brand
- Canon
- Mount
- Canon EF
- Focal length
- 22-55mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/22.0
- Lens type
- Zoom
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 1998
- Optical construction
- 9 elements in 9 groups
- Aperture blades
- 5
- Autofocus motor
- USM
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.35 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.2x
- Filter thread
- 58 mm
- Weight
- 175 g
- Length
- 59 mm
- Diameter
- 66 mm
Specification source: global.canon
What can you shoot with the Canon EF 22-55mm f/4-5.6 USM?
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 smaller maximum aperture favours daylight shooting and keeps the lens compact.
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 f/4-5.6 USM 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 f/4-5.6 USM?
It zooms across 22-55mm with a maximum aperture of f/22.0. That makes it a ultra-wide to standard lens.
Is the Canon EF 22-55mm f/4-5.6 USM 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/22.0.
What is the Canon EF 22-55mm f/4-5.6 USM 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 f/4-5.6 USM 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.
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