Side by side
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM vs Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L 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 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM
168 positive (77%) · 39 mixed (18%) · 12 negative (5%)
Trust + time weighted: +73%
AI summary — not a quote
The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM is widely considered the premier versatile telephoto zoom for the Canon RF system, particularly favored for wildlife and bird photography. Users consistently praise its 'razor sharp' optical performance, fast autofocus, and surprisingly manageable weight for a lens of its reach. While the f/7.1 aperture at the long end is a frequent point of discussion, most owners find the trade-off acceptable for the portability and image quality provided, though some find the high price tag difficult to justify compared to the much cheaper RF 100-400mm.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness and image clarity across the zoom range
- Fast and reliable autofocus that performs well even on crop-sensor bodies like the R7
- Lightweight and compact enough for handheld use and long hikes
- Superior build quality and weather sealing typical of the 'L' series
Cons
- Slow maximum aperture (f/7.1) at the 500mm end can limit performance in low light
- High price point, with some users questioning if it is worth the significant premium over the RF 100-400mm
- Ergonomic issues with the focus ring being placed too close to the camera body, making it difficult to balance when manual focusing
- Physical design prevents the lens from being fully retracted when a teleconverter is attached
Top excerpts
Both are heavy, expensive "L" lenses designed to offer great optical quality.
Razor sharp
I highly recommend the 100-500. Absolutely my fav birding lens and it’s the natural upgrade form the 100-400 when switching to the R system.
Once you use it, you notice the pictures look so much better, not just sharpness, but also rendition, clarity, color, etc… the keeper rated is also much higher than any lens worked with. Bottom line it just works and it always pleases, if that makes sense. I think it’s been optimized with the R cameras. ... the 100-500 is my fav birding lenses considering the weight, performance and value.
This is in contrast to e.g. the RF 100-500 where the TC offers noticeably more real detail increase than merely cropping.