Canon today strengthens its EF-S series of lenses with the launch of a versatile new model: the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS. With an equivalent focal length of 29-320mm, the lens offers an 11x zoom range ? making it a powerful, lightweight alternative to carrying multiple lenses.
For EOS 50D, 40D, 30D, 20D, 20Da, Rebel XSi/XS, Digital Rebel XTi/XT and Digital Rebel.
Compact, lightweight and a wide magnification range – this standard zoom lens features a wide focal length range from normal to telephoto equivalent to 29-320mm in the 35mm format. It features an Optical Image Stabilizer for up to 4-stops of effective correction even at full zoom. Since Canon’s optical image stabilization system is in the lens, not in the camera, you can see the stabilized, steadier images through the viewfinder. And the circular aperture can give beautiful background blur effects. This new wide zoom ratio EF-S lens delivers excellent high-speed performance at an affordable price.
So why am I so excited about a camera lens? Simple:
< From this, to this with a single lens > 
the 18-200mm is approximately one third of a stop faster than the Canon EF-S 17-85mm F4-5.6 IS USM through their shared range, and (unsurprisingly) almost identical in speed to the Nikon AF-S 18-200mm F3.5-5.6 VR throughout the range.
High quality optics
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 minimize chromatic aberration and ensure crisp, corner-to-corner detail across the zoom range. A close focusing distance of just 45cm offers photographers total framing flexibility.
4-stop Image Stabilizer
A Canon 4-stop optical Image Stabilizer ? specially designed for the lens’ specific focal length range – works to counteract image blur that can occur when shooting handheld, or at slow shutter speeds. Automatic panning detection ensures effective performance when tracking moving subjects. Plus, because the IS system is based in the lens, results are visible through the viewfinder during framing.
No flare or ghosting
Reflection off a digital camera’s image sensor can cause flare and ghosting. To suppress this, the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS uses optics treated with Canon’s patented Super Spectra coatings ? for crisp, undistorted images with natural color balance.
Meh. I prefer 55-250mm 4-5.6
I’m not big on the wide angle stuff.
Its always a personal preference. We like to shoot a lot of things close-up so the 55mm isn’t wide enough for us. We did enjoy using the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
at the wedding we shot over Thanksgiving. It works better for the Rebel cameras which are not “full-frame” cameras like the Canon EOS 7D
Um…? You are close when you’re shooting so 55mm doesn’t include enough of the background?
One could do most of the shots shown there with a 55-250mm but you’d be so far away that someone else would likely get in the way of the shot…