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

18-55mm
f/3.5
Zoom
Stabilized
205 g
Min focus 0.25 m

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Quick answer

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

Pros

Image stabilization
Quiet STM focusing
Light and compact
Closest focus 0.25 m

Cons

Slow variable aperture
Plastic construction
Limited zoom reach

Verdict

A decent starter lens. A prime adds more control over depth of field.

About this lens

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM: an APS-C standard zoom lens with a 18-55mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/3.5-5.6, made for Canon EF-S mount cameras, with Image Stabilizer and stepping-motor autofocus. A widely bundled kit zoom for Canon APS-C cameras, with image stabilization and quiet autofocus for video.

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

Brand: Canon
Mount: Canon EF-S
Focal length: 18-55mm
Maximum aperture: f/3.5
Lens type: Zoom
Format coverage: aps-c
Released: 2013
Optical construction: 13 elements in 11 groups
Aperture blades: 7
Image stabilization: Yes
Autofocus motor: STM
Minimum focus distance: 0.25 m
Maximum magnification: 0.36x
Filter thread: 58 mm
Weight: 205 g
Length: 75.2 mm
Diameter: 69 mm

Specification source: global.canon

What can you shoot with the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM?

Everyday photography
Learning photography
Casual video

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
APS-C	1.6x	29–88mm	23.1–64°	27.6–73.8°

Try the field-of-view calculator

Frequently asked questions

Is the EF-S 18-55mm IS STM a good lens?

It is a capable kit lens, particularly when stopped down slightly. It is not designed for dim light or shallow depth of field.

Can the Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS STM be used on a full-frame camera?

Not on full-frame DSLRs. EF-S lenses are made for APS-C and the rear element would hit the mirror. On a full-frame EOS R body with the EF-RF adapter it works, but the camera crops the image to APS-C size.