Compared with Nikon’s 24-120mm VR kit lens, this model, often bundled with the EOS 6D Mark II, is little more than half the price. It lacks some of the Nikkor’s finery, though: it’s not a constant-aperture lens, it has neither weather seals nor a focus distance scale, and you have to buy a hood.
On the plus side, the Canon lens has a refreshingly lightweight build, a fast and near-silent stepping motorbased autofocus system, and a more effective four-stop stabiliser. Build quality feels rather better than that of Canon’s 18-55mm kit lens, with a sturdy barrel and a metal mounting plate.
Performance
This full-frame kit lens punches above its weight in terms of image quality. There’s plenty of sharpness on tap, even when shooting wide open, and distortions, colour fringing…