Pictured below are the four zooms in Canon’s current EF-S range: from left to right the EF-S 10-22mm, EF-S 17-55mm, EF-S 17-85mm and EF-S 18-55mm lenses, each zoomed-out to their widest focal lengths.

Measuring 84x90mm (diameter x length), the EF-S 10-22mm is roughly as wide as the EF-S 17-55mm and tall as the EF-S 17-85mm, but unlike the other lenses pictured here, doesn’t physically extend as you zoom-in. Like the Canon EF 17-40mm, an internal section shifts back and forth slightly as you adjust the zoom, but does so entirely within the limits of the outer barrel. This makes the EF-S 10-22mm appear much smaller than the EF-S 17-85 and EF-S 17-55mm lenses when all are zoomed-in - see below.

With the same external barrel width as the EF-S 17-55mm, it’s not surprising to find the EF-S 10-22mm sharing the same 77mm filter thread. This is significantly larger than the 67mm thread of the EF-S 75-85mm or the 58mm of the EF-S 18-55mm lenses.

A lens hood (EW-83E) and carrying pouch (LP1319) are available for the EF-S 10-22mm, but you’ll need to buy them as optional extras. While this is the same situation as other EF-S lenses, it still seems a little mean not to at least include the lens hood. Pouches and hoods come as standard only with Canon’s L lenses.

The biggest physical difference between the four EF-S zooms is weight. At 385g, the EF-S 10-22mm may still be twice as heavy as the almost feather-like EF-S 18-55mm kit lens, but is noticeably lighter than the 475g EF-S 17-85mm and the relative heft of the 645g EF-S 17-55mm, although to be fair the latter does boast a constant f2.8 aperture.

The exterior design and build quality of the EF-S 10-22mm is to all intents and purposes identical to the EF-S 17-85mm and EF-S 17-55mm models. All have similar-feeling focusing and zoom rings, and position them with the focusing ring closest to the body and the zoom ring furthest. While all three lenses are a big step-up from the kit EF-S 18-55mm lens, none are in the same physical league as Canon’s L lenses. The zoom and focusing rings on L lenses feel much smoother and the overall build quality more confident.

In terms of focusing, the EF-S 10-22mm employs one of Canon’s USM motors which is both fast and quiet. It’ll focus from its closest 24cm distance to infinity in about half a second, and thanks to internal focusing, the filter mount doesn’t rotate – a relief for anyone who uses polarising or graduated filters.