The EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM was developed primarily in response to the growing need among digital SLR camera users to shoot movies. Inheriting the same high performance as the EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II (launched in July 2011), which proved popular for its compact, lightweight design and high image quality, the new lens achieves significantly improved AF performance when shooting video. Featuring a wide zoom range, the lens not only supports a variety of still-photography situations, including shooting portraits and action-filled sports, but also offers ease of use during movie shooting.

Equipped with a focus mechanism incorporating a stepping motor and lead screw, the lens delivers greatly improved AF performance. In particular, when paired with such cameras as the EOS 70D (launched in August 2013) or the EOS Rebel T5i (EOS 700D) (launched in April 2013), both of which include a Movie Servo AF function, the EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM realizes exceptionally quiet and smooth autofocusing. Because the lens also enables the effortless setting and maintaining of focus when shooting a moving subject, even entry-level digital SLR users can easily enjoy capturing video. Additionally, when shooting through the viewfinder, the lens achieves remarkably quiet, fast and accurate AF performance.

Incorporating special optical lens elements such as a UD (ultra-low dispersion) lens, the EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM corrects chromatic aberration and delivers high image quality and high contrast throughout the entire zoom range.