Compare lenses

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

The Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS and the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM side by side, computed from this guide's catalogue.

Which to pick

Pick the Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS if you want a brighter f/3.5 (0.4 stops more light), for dim light and softer backgrounds and a wider view (from 27mm equivalent). Pick the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM if you want more reach (to 375mm equivalent).

Still torn? Ask the guide about the Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS and the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

Specs side by side

Rows that differ are in full colour; the better value is marked where one is better by any measure.
Spec	Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS	Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
Maker	Canon	Canon
Focal length	18-200mm (zoom)	55-250mm (zoom)
Full-frame equivalent	27-300mm on APS-C	82-375mm on APS-C
Maximum aperture	f/3.5-5.6brighter	f/4-5.6
Made for	APS-C	APS-C
Mounts	Canon EF	Canon EF
Stabilised	yes	yes
Autofocus	yes	yes
Zoom range	11.1×more range	4.5×
Cameras it fits	14 in this guide	14 in this guide

Focal range, in full-frame terms

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS: 18-200mm on APS-C, like 27-300mm.

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM: 55-250mm on APS-C, like 82-375mm.

Aperture

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS: f/3.5 wide open.

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM: f/4 wide open.

Each opening drawn to scale against f/1.4: a smaller f-number lets in more light and blurs the background more.

Field of view

How wide each sees, at each end, on the sensor it was made for.

Cameras they fit

14 cameras in this guide take both, so either works on the same body.