Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS

Canon strengthens its EF-S series of lenses with the launch of the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS. With an equivalent focal length of 88-400mm, the new Canon lens is the first in the EF-S series to incorporate a 4-stop Image Stabilizer, dramatically extending low-light performance. The Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lens incorporates specialist optics to achieve exceptional image clarity - the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS benefits from an Ultra-Low Dispersion (UD) lens element. The Canon EF-S lens is built to fit exclusively on those EOS cameras with an EF-S lens mount - including the new EOS 40D, EOS 30D, EOS 400D and earlier models. To take the environment into account, the lens features only lead-free glass.

Compact and lightweight, the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS offers the longest zoom range in the EF-S series to date. The 88-400mm equivalent focal length opens up new framing possibilities for owners of EF-S mount cameras shooting wildlife, sports and travel photography. Optical quality is assured through a UD element, which minimises chromatic aberrations that could otherwise cause reduced contrast and colour fringing.

Optical image stabilizer
Canon's latest optical Image Stabilizer (IS) technology provides up to 4-stop compensation for image blur caused by camera shake and slow shutter speeds. Photographers normally shooting handheld at 1/250 sec can switch on IS to obtain a similarly steady and blur-free result with a shutter speed of just 1/15 second. The inclusion of automatic panning detection makes it easier for photographers to track wildlife and other moving subjects. To ensure consistently accurate results at all zoom positions, the IS system within each lens has been optimised for that lens' specific focal length range. Since the IS system is based within the lens, the results are visible through the viewfinder when framing the image.

Appealing background blur
The Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS lens also incorporates a circular aperture. This helps create an even background blur when depth of field is minimised, giving photographers more creative options for portraiture and similar types of photography.

Super Spectra coatings
The Canon EF-S f/4-5.6 IS employs Canon's patented Super Spectra coatings to suppress flare and ghosting - more prone to occur with digital cameras due to reflection off the image sensor. By increasing light absorption, coatings reduce reflections off lens element surfaces to deliver crisp, undistorted images with natural colour balance.

E-TTL II flash integration
The new Canon EF-S lens transmits distance information to the E-TTL II flash system of all current model digital EOS cameras, improving flash exposure metering when used in conjunction with Canon's range of EX Speedlite flash units. In keeping with Canon's Kyosei philosophy of living in harmony with the environment, the lens features only lead-free glass.