Canon introduced the EF-S lens mount system with the launch of the entry-level Canon EOS 300D (EOS Digital Rebel in the US, EOS Kiss Digital in Japan) in 2003. The camera was packaged with the EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 as the standard kit lens. The lens was updated to the EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS in 2007 as the kit lens for the Canon EOS 40D with improved optical quality and is Image Stabilized (IS) to reduce blur from camera shake.
The IS (Image Stabilization) system uses gyro sensors, a microprocessor, and special lens elements to detect and correct camera shake, resulting in images remaining stationary on the camera sensor. Canon claims that the system is effective up to four stops.
The lens, a wide-angle to mid-telephoto zoom with a 35 mm equivalent focal length of 28.8 – 88mm, is primarily made from hard polycarbonate plastic, including the EF-S mount. It is lightweight at 200 grams, measures 68.5 mm × 70 mm, has 11 elements in nine groups, six circular aperture blades, a closest focusing distance of 0.25 meters, and takes 58mm filters.
Its design includes a precision aspherical element to correct aberrations, particularly spherical aberrations, and ensure optimum image quality across all focal lengths.
Externally, the lens is a double-barrel design with a fixed outer barrel and an inner barrel that extends approximately 20 mm out from the camera body when the lens is set to its maximum 55mm focal length. It is shortest between 28 and 35mm and protrudes roughly 10mm out when zoomed back to 18mm. Manual focusing is by a narrow ring attached to the front end of the inner barrel while zooming is a quarter turn of the outer barrel itself.
Indentations for the 18mm, 24mm, 35mm, and 55mm focal length marks are engraved on a metal ring forward of the index mark for setting the focal length, located on the top of the lens mount section. The lens though, being Canon's first generation IS, is designed to be primarily hand-held. When using a tripod, the image stabilizer had to be switched off manually, an action no longer necessary with follow-up versions, as the lenses detect when a tripod is being used and 'IS' is switched off automatically.
On the Canon EOS Kiss X3, the focal range allows for wider shots from 28mm to moderate telephotos at 80mm without needing to change or switch lenses, a good starting point for learning photography. The robust built EF-S 18–55mm lens 1:3.5–5.6 IS combines well with the Kiss X3 for a compact and lightweight digital SLR system to learn from and to get used to quickly. With a closest focusing distance of 0.25 meters, macro and close-ups with the lens are equal to the task.
The lens is easily available from auction sites or brick-and-mortar store shelves with low-start bids, or 'buy-now' offers. The compact design, versatility, and image stabilization make the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS a popular choice among Canon users with recommendations that the lens is of good value with excellent image quality. Others commented that the lens is a good choice for beginners who want to learn photography and explore the outdoors. Go get it!
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