Canon has today announced two new Image Stabilized EF-S lenses. Utilizing an all new and considerably simpler stabilizer system these two lenses are virtually the same size and weight as the lenses they replace / upgrade. These two lenses in a 'combined kit' form would provide you with approximately 28 to 400 mm equiv (14.3x) field of view, with image stabilization, on an EF-S compatible Canon digital SLR (such as the Digital Rebel XTi / EOS 400D). No word on price for the 55-250 mm IS at this point but the 18-55 mm IS should be $199 when it arrives in October.

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 20 August, 2007: Canon today strengthens its EF-S series of lenses with the launch of the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS and EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS. With equivalent focal lengths of 29-88mm and 88-400mm respectively, the lenses are the first in the EF-S series to incorporate a 4-stop Image Stabilizer, dramatically extending low-light performance. Both lenses incorporate specialist optics to achieve exceptional image clarity - the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS employing an aspherical lens element with the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS benefiting from an Ultra-Low Dispersion (UD) lens element.

The lenses are built to fit exclusively on those EOS cameras with an EF–S lens mount – including the new EOS 40D, EOS 30D, EOS 400D and earlier models.

Compact and lightweight, the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS offers the longest zoom range in the EF-S series to date. The 88-400mm equivalent focal length opens up new framing possibilities for owners of EF-S mount cameras shooting wildlife, sports and travel photography. Optical quality is assured through a UD element, which minimises chromatic aberrations that could otherwise cause reduced contrast and colour fringing.