Canon 550D: replace the 18-55 kit lens with an 18-200mm, or add the 55-250mm for more reach?

Question

I have a Canon EOS 550D with the 18-55mm IS kit lens, and I’m mainly looking for more telephoto reach because 55mm often feels too short. I’m comparing two options:

1. Replace the kit lens with an 18-200mm IS superzoom for all-in-one convenience
2. Keep the 18-55mm and add the 55-250mm IS for extra reach

I’d like to understand the pros and cons of each approach, especially optical quality versus convenience, and whether the 18-200mm is worth the much higher cost. I’m unlikely to print larger than A4.

user2719 · Accepted Answer

The 18-200 might be more expensive, but I don't think I've ever seen a lens getting worse reviews. (There are two reviews linked there, and they're two of the friendlier ones.)

The 55-250mm, on the other hand, gets rave optical reviews. The worst thing anyone has to say about it is that, well, it is mostly plastic. Really good, solid, well-built plastic, but plastic. And there's some vignetting wide-open that's down to "wont notice it in the real world" levels once you've stopped down one stop. It's sharp, there's only the tiniest amount of barrel distortion at the 55mm end, chromatic aberration is at the sub-pixel level, and once you've taken the aperture off of "full blast" the light distribution is very even.

Given a choice between the two, go for the 55-250mm, no question.

Canon 550D: replace the 18-55 kit lens with an 18-200mm, or add the 55-250mm for more reach?

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