Canon's newest EF-S kit zoom with a slightly slower aperture but more compact design.
The Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM was introduced in 2017 as the latest iteration of Canon's APS-C standard kit zoom, bundled with the compact EOS 200D and 250D bodies. The slightly slower f/4 maximum aperture at the wide end — compared to the f/3.5 of its predecessors — enabled a more compact and lighter design suited to the smaller bodies it accompanied. It covers the standard 29-88mm equivalent range on APS-C. As one of the last EF-S lenses Canon produced before focusing on the RF-S system, it represents the final refinement of the EF-S 18-55mm line.
The optical design uses 12 elements in 10 groups. The 58mm filter thread is shared with the EF-S 55-250mm IS variants and other Canon EF-S kit lenses, making filter carry-over practical across a typical Canon APS-C setup. At approximately 215g the lens adds a modest weight premium over the non-IS 18-55mm — the IS mechanism is the direct reason for the difference. A minimum focus distance of 0.25m is slightly closer than the earlier non-IS equivalent, enabling informal close-up work on small subjects. IS provides up to 4 stops of shake correction per Canon's specification, substantially extending handheld range in low light. The STM stepping motor is smooth and quiet for video recording. Variable aperture runs from f/4 at 18mm to f/5.6 at 55mm; build is plastic with a metal mount ring and no weather sealing.
For everyday photography the 18-55mm range covers the most common shooting situations. The IS compensates for the f/4-5.6 aperture in stable shooting situations — static subjects, architecture, and landscape work in particular. The STM motor makes continuous AF smooth and nearly silent during video, addressing one of the key weaknesses of older Canon kit lens designs. Image quality is good in the centre across the zoom range. The half-stop slower aperture at 18mm compared to the f/3.5-5.6 IS STM is negligible in practice for the typical use cases this lens serves.
On the used market this f/4-5.6 IS STM is functionally identical to the f/3.5-5.6 IS STM for practical purposes and available at a similar price. Condition checks: IS operation, STM motor response, and zoom ring smoothness. The 58mm filter thread is shared with the EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM and other Canon EF-S lenses. Both the f/4-5.6 and f/3.5-5.6 IS STM versions are excellent starter kit zooms for Canon APS-C DSLRs. The lens works fully via the EF-RF adapter on EOS R-series bodies.