The Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS is a new 11x zoomlens.  It features a superb focal length range which covers the needs of most class of photographers  and an excellently-performing IS system, in a nicely-sized body.

 

 

With its 11x zoom range, the 18-200mm becomes Canon’s most ambitious consumer-level zoom to date; the company has previously shied away from producing relatively inexpensive superzooms, with its only previous foray into this sector being the 28-200mm F3.5-5.6 (USM) for 35mm SLRs from late 2000.

The EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS is designed exclusively for use with EOS cameras featuring an EF-S lens mount.  The EF-S 18-200mm features a 16 element, 12 group construction, close focusing distance of just 45cm, and 4-stop optical Image Stabilizer.

 The zoom ratio has been stretched to a 35mm-equivalent range of 29-320mm, and the new lens incorporates Canon’s latest compact image stabilization unit (as seen on the EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS and the EF-S 55-250mm F4.5-5.6 IS), which offers automatic panning detection and (according to the company) four stops of stabilization.

The Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens is relatively sharp in the center even wide open. Stopping down to f/5.6 brings nice sharpness to the center of the image through 50mm. Use f/8 from 80mm through 200mm for best center sharpness. Corners are soft wide open and need f/8 for good sharpness over most of the focal length range. Corners are decent at f/5.6 at 18mm and prefer f/11 at 135mm.

A Canon 4-stop optical Image Stabilizer – specially designed for the lens’ specific focal length range – works to counteract image blur that can occur when shooting handheld, or at slow shutter speeds. Automatic panning detection ensures effective performance when tracking moving subjects. Plus, because the IS system is based in the lens, results are visible through the viewfinder during framing.

Reflection off a digital camera’s image sensor can cause flare and ghosting. To suppress this, the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS uses optics treated with Canon’s patented Super Spectra coatings – for crisp, undistorted images with natural colour balance.

Technical Specifications

Maximum format size	APS-C
Focal length	18-200mm
35mm equivalent focal length (APS-C)	29-320mm
Diagonal Angle of view (APS-C)	74º – 8º
Maximum aperture	F3.5-5.6
Minimum aperture	F22-36
Lens Construction	• 16 elements/12 groups • 2 UD elements • 2 Aspherical elements
Number of diaphragm blades	6, rounded
Minimum focus	0.45m/1.5ft
Maximum magnification	0.24x at 200mm
AF motor type	Micro motor
Focus method	Internal
Image stabilization	• 4 stops • Automatic panning detection
Filter thread	• 72mm • Does not rotate on focus
Supplied accessories	• Front and rear caps
Optional accessories	• EW-78D Hood • Case
Weight	600 g (21.2 oz)
Dimensions	79 mm diameter x 102 mm length (3.1 x 4.0 in)
Lens Mount	Canon EF-S only
Other	Supplies distance information for E-TTL II flash metering