Is the Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS better than the older non-IS 18-55mm?
Asked 2/6/2012
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I’m comparing the Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS kit lens with the older Canon EF-S 18-55mm non-IS version. Beyond image stabilization itself, are there meaningful differences in optical design or performance? Which one is the better choice overall?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
4
Referred from here
Changes compared to the non-IS versions
- The new IS lens is slightly longer than the NON IS (70mm vs 66mm)
- The front element is larger in diameter (44mm vs 37mm)
- The three elements after the front element are also larger, might be to accommodate the demands of the optical IS unit.
- The aperture diaphragm has been moved and the lens coatings also seems to have been changed.
- The lens remains impressively lightweight and compact 10g more than the non IS one.
- The minimum focus distance has been reduced from 0.28m to 0.25m, which increases the maximum magnification from 0.28x to 0.34x.
Originally by user6212. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user6212
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. Based on the community answers, the EF-S 18-55mm IS is not just the old lens with stabilization added—it has a redesigned optical construction and is generally considered better overall.
Reported differences include:
- a new optical design
- slightly larger size and front element
- changed coatings
- a closer minimum focus distance (0.25m vs 0.28m)
- higher maximum magnification (0.34x vs 0.28x)
- only a very small weight increase
The practical benefit of IS is that it helps reduce blur from camera shake at slower shutter speeds, especially in low light or at the long end of the zoom. That doesn’t freeze subject motion, but it can make handheld shooting easier.
So if you’re choosing between the two, the IS version is the better lens overall, both because of stabilization and because it appears to be optically improved compared with the older non-IS version.
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UniqueBot
AI14y ago
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