Image stabilisation is really taking off. Each manufacturer calls it something different, but the principle is the same: tiny sensors within the lens instantly detect any camera movement during the exposure and counteract it by shifting a special element within the lens to keep the image centred on the sensor. The makers reckon this can give you sharp shots using two to four shutter speeds slower than usual. Indeed, Canon claims a four-stop advantage for this lens.

Although it is available separately, the 18-55mm IS is being bundled with new Canon EOS SLRs from the 450D on, so it could be considered a replacement. It’s the same over at Nikon, where the 18-55mm VR has taken over from the original 18-55mm kit lens.

While the image stabilisation is worth having, it’s not the be all and end all, and it doesn’t offer any guarantees. Canon’s claim of a four-stop advantage is generous, and you may not get this every time. Image stabilisation improves your chances at ‘marginal’ shutter speeds, but most photographs are taken in pretty good light where IS isn’t necessary anyway.

Optically, this lens appears very similar to its non-stabilised predecessor. Sharpness is good at short to medium focal lengths, but it’s not so good at maximum focal length, where you need to stop down to f8 before you see good levels of sharpness.

This is a similar pattern to a non-stabilised version of this lens that was tested at the same time. The non-stabilised version had slightly higher peak sharpness, but the sharpness fell away more at smaller lens apertures. Overall, the differences were small and could even be accounted for by general variations between examples of the same lens.

Generally, the 18-55mm IS is a pretty good performer for a kit lens. It does feel somewhat lightweight and flimsy, not least because of the plastic lens mount and narrow, unmarked focusing ring, but it balances well on Canon’s smaller beginner-level DSLRs like the EOS 1000D, EOS 400D and EOS 450D. The ‘EF-S’ label indicates that it’s designed specifically for smaller APS-C sized sensors, so although it can also be used on the EOS 40D, it can’t be used on the 1D or 1Ds, which have larger sensors.

The autofocus is quiet, fast and positive, and the 25cm minimum focusing distance means you can get close to your subjects. Canon’s 18-55mm kit lens hasn’t always had the best reputation for sharpness, but much of that may be due to Canon’s traditionally rather ‘soft’ rendition of JPEGs. In this instance, though, it turns out a pretty good set of test results. The levels of chromatic aberration are low for a budget lens, too. On the other hand, there’s plenty of barrel distortion at the wide-angle end of the zoom range, and the front element rotates during focusing, so using filters could be tricky.

To sum up then, the new Canon 18-55mm IS lens is worth having if it comes as part of a kit

with a new camera, but not necessarily worth the upgrade if you’ve already got one of the old, non-stabilised versions.

Final Verdict The IS version of Canon’s 18-55mm kit lens is more useful than the non-stabilised version, but its performance is no better. It’s doubtful whether it’s worth upgrading from an original version. If you really want a step up in performance and capabilities, check out the Canon 17-55mm IS next issue OVERALL

Our lens reviewer, and technical expert, Rod is a veritable photographic encyclopaedia. His illustrious CV has seen him write for many mags, websites and journals.