Should I buy the Canon RF-S 18-45mm kit or RF-S 18-150mm?

If you’re choosing between these two kit lenses, I’d generally lean toward the RF-S 18-150mm if your budget allows. It’s the more versatile option by a wide margin, with a much larger zoom range that’s better for everyday use, travel, and subjects you can’t get close to.

Choose the RF-S 18-45mm if you care most about keeping the setup small and light. It’s the more compact lens, retracts when not in use, and is a good pick if you want a very portable camera for casual use or street shooting.

A couple of important caveats: both lenses are stabilized, so stabilization is not a reason to choose one over the other. Also, the 18-150mm is typically much more expensive if bought separately than the 18-45mm, though the exact price difference depends on whether you’re comparing standalone pricing or camera bundle pricing.

Simple rule:

• Buy the 18-150mm if you want one do-everything lens and don’t mind the extra size and cost.
• Buy the 18-45mm if you want the lightest, most compact kit and can live with a much shorter zoom range.

If prices are close, the 18-150mm is usually the better long-term choice.