Canon Canon 9518A002 SLR Lenses EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 Review
The Canon 10-22mm is a sharp, lightweight ultra-wide zoom for APS-C cameras, but its lack of stabilization and variable aperture show its age. At a good price, it's a solid pick.
Overview
Look, if you're shooting on a Canon APS-C camera and you need a wide-angle zoom, this EF-S 10-22mm is the old reliable you can probably find for a steal. The one thing to know? It's a sharp, lightweight lens that gives you that dramatic wide view, but it's showing its age. There's no image stabilization, the autofocus is just okay, and that f/3.5-4.5 variable aperture isn't great in low light. But for the price, it gets the job done.
Performance
What surprised me is how well the optics hold up. It lands in the 78th percentile for image quality, which is impressive for a budget-friendly zoom. The UD and aspherical elements do their job controlling distortion and chromatic aberration. You're not getting creamy bokeh here (it's in the 35th percentile for that), but for landscapes and architecture, it's plenty sharp where it counts.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong versatility (82th percentile) 98th
- Strong optical (78th percentile) 82th
- Strong build (75th percentile) 80th
Cons
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Wide-Angle Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 10 |
| Focal Length Max | 22 |
| Elements | 13 |
| Groups | 10 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | f/22 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 6 |
Build
| Mount | Canon EF |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weight | 0.4 kg / 0.9 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 77 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 240 |
| Max Magnification | 0.17x |
Value & Pricing
Here's the kicker: prices are all over the map, from $375 to $729. At the low end, around $400, this lens is a fantastic value for the optical performance you get. If you're seeing it listed near $700, walk away. That's into used professional lens territory. Shop around for that $375 deal.
Price History
vs Competition
This isn't really competing with those prime lenses in the competitor list, like the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7. Those are faster, better in low light, but they don't zoom. For a true wide-angle zoom on Canon APS-C, your main alternatives are the newer Canon EF-S 10-18mm IS STM (slower aperture but has stabilization and is cheaper) or the pricier Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 (similar specs, often better build). This 10-22mm sits in the middle: sharper than the 10-18mm, but missing the handy stabilization.
| Spec | Canon Canon 9518A002 SLR Lenses EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Viltrox VILTROX 25mm F1.7 f/1.7 AF Lens for Fuji X Mount, | Canon Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) | Tamron Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 10-22mm | 55mm | 25mm | 24mm | 24-70mm | 17-70mm |
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/1.4 | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Mount | Canon EF | Nikon Z | Fujifilm X | Canon RF | Nikon Z | Sony E Mount |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 386 | 281 | 400 | 269 | 676 | 544 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | STM | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | Wide-Angle Zoom | - | - | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom |
Verdict
My recommendation is clear: buy this lens used or on sale for under $400. It's a sharp, capable ultra-wide for Canon crop-sensor cameras that won't break the bank or your back. Just know its limits—don't plan on shooting handheld video or in dim cafes with it. If you need stabilization or shoot in low light often, save up for a different option.