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

For the price, owners of APS-C sensor Canon cameras really can't beat this lens. As most reviews mention, you'll need good light to shoot anything that's moving - anything below f/8, you won't get sharp action, and really f/10 is the sweet spot. But as an entry level telephoto, it produces excellent (even outstanding) results. As a bit of a side bonus, it does pretty decent macros all the way out at 250mm.I've been using mine for almost a year now. It's incredibly versatile with it being an 88-400mm equivalent on crop sensors (which is the only place this works - won't match up with a full frame). I use it for long-throw landscapes, wildlife, macros, you name it. Auto focus is fast and nearly silent, as with all the new STM lenses.Cons: Sharp action shots are off the table in anything less than full light. With experience, you can compensate a bit, but it's a tough proposition. Also, barrel creep may be a problem over time. After 10 months, mine will slowly extend out on its own when I walk around with it for a while. That's about the worst thing I can say about this lens.Pros: Excellent sharpness in good light. Fast and easy to use, smooth action. IS will help those with less steady hands. Price is fantastic for what you get. Light. Travels well. Extremely versatile with a lot of reach.

Bought for vacation and I'm so glad that I did. Image stabilizer is easy to use and is very good for the price. I can zoom way in and get great pictures with minimal effort. Build quality is high level and feels good in the hand. Fits perfect in my canon bag that came with my rebel t7.

This lens is a beauty. I have an R10, so I had to buy an EF-RF adapter for it, of course; but I got a much better lens, for a lower price, than the somewhat corresponding RF-S lens (55 - 210, F5-7.1). It is a little bigger than the RF-S lenses, however. I agree with the other reviews as respects the quality and sharpness of this lens.Warnings: (1) I understand that a lot of used lenses are being sold. Since Canon doesn't seal their boxes, you need to examine your lens carefully. This one certainly appeared to be brand new.(2) Make sure they send you the STM lens! This EF lens comes in 3 versions, and at first Amazon sent me the wrong one; but they exchanged it quickly when I told them. The versions are IS, IS II, and IS STM. The first 2 are older, and have a somewhat stiff, clunky mechanical focus; the newer one, this STM lens, has a "focus by wire", like all of my other lenses, which is quieter and faster.

This lens is much better than the older Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II lens especially on the newer bodies such as the 70D and the 700D. Please be sure to compare the lens you receive with the pictures of the new STM and the old lens so you do not get duped into buying the old lens for the price of the new lens. For example, if you look at the STM version of this lens and look at the first "used" listing by Players Electronics for $265, you can see that the photo they have attached shows the old not the new STM lens. Someone is going to receive the old lens thinking they have received the new lens unless they check carefully. Buyer beware!5-14-14 UpdateI have used this lens for two weeks and am very impressed with the performance. I have even used it for indoor basketball and have gotten clear and focused shots at 250mm. Also some great bird shots. It is sharper than my Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS lens which is better in lower light situations. I highly recommend the Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM lens for beginners or advanced shooters who want to travel light.12-30-15 UpdateThis lens is crazy sharp and the best value of any of the Canon lenses I have and I have mostly L lenses.One of the attached photos was taken with a Canon EF 200mm f/2.8LII Lens and the other with a Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM Lens. Can you tell which one was taken with which lens?The photo on the right was taken with a Canon EF 200mm f/2.8LII Lens and the left photo was taken with a Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM Lens. Both were shot at f.5.6 at 280mm (including 1.4 extnder) and 250mm, respectively and both were taken with a Canon 70D. I love both lenses and as you can see, they perform somewhat similarly at the same aperture.