Canon introduces the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens

With an 11x zoom range

26 August 2008 14:49 GMT / By Verity Burns

Canon has added the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens to its EF-S series of lenses.

With an equivalent focal length of 29-320mm, the lens offers an 11x zoom range, giving you less need to carry around multiple lenses. It is designed exclusively for use with EOS cameras that have an EF-S lens mount, which includes the new EOS 50D, the EOS 1000D and the EOS 450D.

The EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS features a 16 element, 12 group construction. This includes UD and aspherical lens elements, which minimise chromatic aberration and ensure crisp, fine detail across the zoom range. The lens also allows for a close focusing distance of 45cm.

The lens features a 4-stop image stabiliser that has been designed specifically for the lens' focal length range, that will help to counteract image blur, and also features automatic panning detection which will come in handy for those photographing moving subjects. Plus, because the IS system is based in the lens, results are visible through the viewfinder during framing.

To suppress any chance of flaring or ghosting, the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS uses optics treated with Canon's Super Spectra coatings.

The EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS will be available from end of September 2008 and will be priced at £549.99.