Canon EF-S 10-18mm F/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens Review [2020]

Main Features

The Canon EF-S 10-18mm F/4.5-5.6 Is STM lens has a variety of interesting features, although it may not seem that way because of its size. However, it is a lens you should not underestimate. The following are some of the main features of this small but well-crafted lens:

Focal Length

This Canon is a zoom lens, meaning the focal length is variable, which for this lens, is 10mm-18mm. It is an ultra-wide-angle lens that gives you plenty of options to work with. At 10mm, its widest, it can capture landscapes and other interesting angles very well. However, at 18mm, it is capable of capturing a great amount of detail. The distance between 10mm and 18mm is what makes this lens versatile, as you can discover many different styles of photography and find one that suits you best. 

Aperture

Aperture is important for all lenses. Basically, the aperture is the opening through which the light travels. In the case of lenses, the smaller the number of the aperture, the wider it will be, and the more light it will let in. Lenses with a smaller aperture perform better in low-light settings. This lens has a maximum aperture of f/4.5 at 10mm and f/5.6 at 18mm. The f/4.5 is perfect for landscape photography, while the f/5.6 can be utilized for portrait shots or other close-ups. Overall, these numbers work very well for this lens, as it brings out the best in the picture. 

STM Motor

When you see STM mentioned on a Canon lens, it means it is equipped with Stepper Motor Technology. This is Canon’s autofocus system that is much quieter and smoother and works efficiently compared to others. Autofocus is really important for a lens, as it provides better image quality. 

Pros

This lens is proof that great things come in small packages. There are a lot of great things about it. So let’s take a detailed look at what it has to offer.

Lightweight

One of the best things about this lens is that it is extremely lightweight. It weighs only 8.5 ounces, which is much lighter compared to other lenses of the same category. It is very important for a lens to be lightweight, especially one as versatile as this one. Why? Because it should be easy to carry around and handle. This is especially helpful for beginners and those who travel a lot, since it will not add a lot of weight to your camera bag. 

Excellent Build Quality

The build quality of this lens is superb. It is compact and can be stored very easily. Plus, it fits perfectly in the palm. You can take it anywhere, since it is the perfect size. Unlike bulky lenses, it is very easy to control. The main material used for its construction is polycarbonate plastic. The material used is high quality and gives the lens a very solid feel. In addition, it is durable and less prone to wear and tear. Despite the body and mount being mostly plastic, the lens is quite sturdy and will not be damaged easily. Plus, the use of plastic cuts down on the weight significantly. 

Image Stabilization

Yet another important feature of this lens is its image stabilization technology. This can be counted as a huge pro, as image stabilization directly contributes to image quality. This technology helps to reduce blurring caused by the motion of the camera. This motion can either be caused by shaking of the hand or other factors, as well. Since this is a zoom lens, it is even more necessary. It has a four-stop image stabilization, which reduces the shakiness of the camera significantly. 

No Distortion

Distortion is basically an error caused by the lens. It happens when the lens produces curved lines where straight lines should be. Distortion is more common in wide-angle lenses such as this one. However, the distortion is not an issue when it comes to this one. In fact, it is difficult to point out any aberrations, even if you try to. 

Sharpness

Another thing this lens is great at is capturing extra-sharp images. It can capture crisp, clear images with the maximum amount of detail. Even at its widest, which is 10mm, it manages to capture a significant amount of detail with clarity. Many wide-angle lenses make the picture softer around the edges, however, this one is able to capture with uniform sharpness throughout the image. 

Cons

Now it is time to look at some of the downsides of this lens. These cannot be considered major flaws or deal-breakers. However, it is important to keep them in mind if you are planning on investing in this model. 

No Moisture Seal

Moisture on the lens can form due to condensation or when you are using your camera in a situation where it is exposed to water, for example, in the rain. Although moisture will not have any negative effect on your lens immediately, it will be harmful if it is exposed to moisture or water often. It would be ideal if the lens was moisture sealed. That way, there would be no need to worry about any damage. However, with this lens, you will just have to be a bit more careful. 

Average For Bokeh Shots

Bokeh is a photography style that brings out the aesthetic quality in a shot. It brings out the artistic value of the out-of-focus or blurred parts of the picture. Smaller apertures like f/1.4 or f/2.8 are best suited for bokeh photography. This lens has an aperture of f/4.5-5.6, which makes its bokeh shots just average. 

What is the Canon EF-S 10-18mm F/4.5-5.6 IS Stm Lens Best For?

In this section, we will discuss what the Canon EF-S 10-18mm F/4.5-5.6 Is Stm can be used for. We mentioned previously that it is versatile. So let’s find out which styles of photography it can cater to.

General Photography

If you have just started out with photography and do not have a particular style to call your own, this lens will help you out a lot. Since it has a variable focal length, it can help you with general photography. You can explore different styles until you find one you are comfortable with.

Wide-Angle Photography

This one goes without saying. The 10mm is best suited for capturing landscapes and scenery. It can also help with event or wedding photography because it is able to capture a larger area in one frame while maintaining the necessary details. 

Macro Photography

Macro photography is a photography style that captures the subjects up-close. Given the narrowest focal length of this lens, which is 18mm, it is capable of capturing subjects with significant details. Therefore, if you are a detail-orientated photographer, this model will be a good option for you. 

What Do I Need To Know Before Buying?

Let’s now talk about a few things to keep in mind before you decide to seal the deal. These things include: 

What Do You Want to Photograph?

This is very important. Always make sure you sort out the purpose of investing in such a lens beforehand. Yes, it is versatile and gives you a lot to work with. However, it may not be suited for your style of photography. Therefore, it is best to sort these things before you make a purchase so you do not end up with a lens you barely use. 

Prime and Zoom

Prime lenses are ones with a fixed focal length. This lens, on the other hand, is a zoom lens, meaning it has a variable focal length. Both lens types have their own specialties. Prime lenses are easier to work with, whereas zoom lenses give you more options and more control. Be sure to single out the type you want to work with.

Ease of Use

This is especially important for beginners, as they are new to the world of photography. Picking out a lens that is easy to use can change your entire photography experience. Fortunately, this model is fairly easy to use and you will probably not encounter any major problems. 

Bottom Line

This lens does a great job of living up to Canon’s name and standard. It is well built, incorporates a lot of amazing features and does not compromise the image quality at all. In addition to that, it is not very expensive, either. It is safe to say this is one of the best 10mm-18mm lenses by Canon.