Side by side
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM vs Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
73 positive (87%) · 9 mixed (11%) · 2 negative (2%)
Trust + time weighted: +86%
AI summary — not a quote
The Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM is widely regarded by the Reddit community as a 'hidden gem' and the premier budget telephoto lens for Canon crop-sensor (APS-C) cameras. It is frequently recommended for its surprising sharpness, quiet autofocus, and exceptional value-to-performance ratio, particularly when purchased used.
Pros
- Exceptional value for the price, often cited as the best 'cheap' telephoto option
- Impressive sharpness that users have compared favorably to much more expensive lenses
- Quiet and smooth STM autofocus motor suitable for both stills and video
- Effective image stabilization (IS) that aids in handheld shooting at longer focal lengths
Cons
- Limited to APS-C (crop sensor) cameras; cannot be used on full-frame bodies
- Maximum aperture of f/5.6 at the long end limits performance in low-light conditions
- Some users report the lens can appear 'soft' when paired with very high-resolution sensors like the 33MP R7
- Autofocus speed may be insufficient for high-speed professional sports or very fast-moving subjects
Top excerpts
The 55-250 IS STM is one of those gems...
It's fantastic. One of the best value telephoto lenses for crop DSLRs. I have it on m50II. Produces fantastic images and has great quiet autofocus.
EF-S 55-250mm IS STM is the lens to "butt up" to the 18-55 giving you focal ranges from 18-250mm
55-250 STM is quite a lens for the price and is reasonably balanced on the R100 as well.
The 55-250 IS STM is an excellent for the price you should see a nice improvement in image quality over your 18-200mm at longer focal lengths.
Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM
358 positive (82%) · 52 mixed (12%) · 25 negative (6%)
Trust + time weighted: +76%
AI summary — not a quote
The Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM is highly regarded as a high-value, entry-level telephoto lens that exceeds expectations for its price point. Users frequently praise its lightweight design and surprisingly fast autofocus, which is capable of tracking small, quick subjects like insects and birds. While it is considered a 'dream team' lens for hobbyists on a budget, its narrow maximum aperture (f/8 at the long end) presents significant challenges in low-light conditions, leading to grainy images or lower keeper rates in overcast weather.
Pros
- Excellent value for the price, often cited as the best budget telephoto for the RF system.
- Remarkably lightweight and compact, making it ideal for travel and handheld use.
- Fast and capable autofocus that can handle challenging subjects like dragonflies.
- Sharpness is generally good, often outperforming older EF-mount equivalents.
Cons
- Slow maximum aperture (f/8 at 400mm) limits performance in low light or indoors.
- Image quality can become soft at the 400mm focal length.
- Performance degrades significantly in overcast or rainy conditions, resulting in high ISO noise.
- Reported issues with image quality degradation when using UV filters.
Top excerpts
The RF 100-400 is a light and (relatively) cheap tele.
It's oddly faster and cheaper than the RF 100-400 while theoretically keeping a good autofocus speed and IS, so there must be a catch, right?
I've heard good things about the RF 100-400. It's not that fast but the autofocus is good and it has IS.
I feel like selling it to get a 100-400 would make more sense, since those lenses fill a similar role.
I'd go with the rf100-400