EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II

55-250mm
f/4.0
Telephoto Zoom
Stabilized
390 g
Min focus 1.1 m

Quick answer

The earlier stabilized 55-250mm zoom for Canon APS-C DSLRs, with micro-motor autofocus.

Pros

Image stabilization
Light
Useful telephoto reach on APS-C

Cons

Slower, noisier autofocus
Variable aperture
Plastic mount

Verdict

A basic telephoto zoom. The STM version is a modest upgrade.

About this lens

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II: an APS-C short-telephoto zoom lens with a 55-250mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/4-5.6, made for Canon EF-S mount cameras, with Image Stabilizer. A lightweight telephoto zoom that pairs with the 18-55mm kit lens on Canon APS-C DSLRs.

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II specifications

Brand: Canon
Mount: Canon EF-S
Focal length: 55-250mm
Maximum aperture: f/4.0
Lens type: Telephoto Zoom
Format coverage: aps-c
Released: 2011
Optical construction: 12 elements in 10 groups
Aperture blades: 7
Image stabilization: Yes
Minimum focus distance: 1.1 m
Maximum magnification: 0.31x
Filter thread: 58 mm
Weight: 390 g
Length: 108 mm
Diameter: 70 mm

Specification source: global.canon

What can you shoot with the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II?

Wildlife
Kids' sports
Travel

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	88–400mm	5.2–23.1°	6.2–27.6°

Try the field-of-view calculator

Frequently asked questions

Does the Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS II have image stabilization?

Yes, it has optical stabilization, which is helpful for handheld shots at the long end.

Can the Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS II 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.