Canon's 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS is the latest in its line of inexpensive DSLRs kit lenses which began with the original 18-55mm in 2003, as an accompaniment to the groundbreaking EOS Digital Rebel/300D (widely considered to be the camera which started the affordable DSLR revolution). The focal length range was chosen to be equivalent to the popular 28-90mm kit lenses then available for entry-level 35mm SLRs, and lightweight plastic construction was used to keep costs down. The design was slightly refreshed with the introduction of a mk II version to accompany the Digital Rebel XT/350D, however this only really featured subtle cosmetic changes, with no improvement to the optics. And those optics were never the strong point of this lens, which gained a reputation as a somewhat mediocre performer, with many users looking to upgrade fairly rapidly.
But Canon has now produced a major upgrade in the shape of this IS version, which looks destined to become the new standard kit lens for Canon's APS-C dSLRs such as the EOS 450D. IS stands for Image Stabilization, and the new lens features a wholly new, simplified optical image stabilization module, which Canon claim offers similar performance to that offered in their higher end (and hitherto much more expensive) IS lenses. This new lens is a clear response to the competitive threat posed by other manufacturers offering sensor-shift stabilization in relatively inexpensive DSLR bodies, so the big question is whether it can deliver the goods in terms of image quality, in the face of some strong competition at this entry-level point.
Conclusion - Pros
- Much improved optics compared to Canon's previous non-IS 18-55mm kit lens
- Effective image stabilisation
- Very compact and lightweight
- Good macro performance
Conclusion - Cons
- All plastic construction
- Rotating front element a pain for filter users
- Narrow and very loose manual focus ring
- Near-useless lens hood
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