Honestly, I totally get the frustration with the kit lens. I've used the Canon EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM as my primary travel lens and, unfortunately, it really does struggle in those dim cathedrals. It's frustratingly slow at the long end. That said, for a 'one-and-done' native option, it's the only logical choice to keep it light. Just be prepared to bump your ISO or use a wall for stability! Hope this helps!

Hi there! I've been thinking about your question because I actually took that exact setup to Rome and Florence last year. Honestly, I had high hopes for the Canon EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM, but unfortunately, it left me a bit disappointed. While the versatility of that 8.3x zoom range is incredible for outdoor sightseeing, the f/6.3 aperture at the long end is a real killer when you step inside a dimly lit cathedral. Even with the Image Stabilization, I found myself cranked up to ISO 6400 just to get a usable shutter speed, which really eats into the image quality on the M50 II's crop sensor.

Technically, you're fighting the physics of a slow lens. If you really want that 'one-and-done' feel without the bulk of an adapter, the 18-150mm is practically your only native choice, but it's a compromise. Here's a pro tip: if you're dead set on it, pair it with a tiny 'emergency' prime like the Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM. It weighs almost nothing and fits in a pocket, so you can swap it on just for those dark interiors.

Another option—though I know you're worried about weight—is adapting the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM using the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS M. It’s slightly faster at the long end and the Nano USM focusing is lightning quick. That said, it does make the kit feel front-heavy. Anyway, back to your question: for a single-lens solution, the 18-150mm is the most practical choice for your wallet and your back, just be prepared for some grain in those evening shots! Safe travels!

+1 to what was said earlier. The Canon EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM is definitely the most convenient, but I'm cautious about the price-to-performance ratio for low light. Since you're on a budget, maybe look at the Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM? It's super cheap and tiny, so you could just pop it in your pocket for those dim cathedrals and use your kit lens for the rest. Honestly, it's served me well!

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Janet is spot on about that native lens trap. Over the years, I've tried many setups and honestly, sticking only to the camera brand's own glass is a fast way to go broke. For traveling light in Italy, you should definitely look into some third-party options instead. In my experience, you'll get way more bang for your buck if you:

• Go with Sigma for their fast primes if you want that blurry background.
• Check out any of the manual lenses from those newer Chinese manufacturers.
• Just get a basic mount adapter so you can use old vintage glass. I did the DIY route with some old thrift store lenses on my last trip and it was a blast. Manual focusing takes a bit of practice but it's super rewarding and makes you feel more connected to the shot... plus they're usually dirt cheap and look really cool on a compact body.

Following

Following this thread

Ok adding this to my list of things to try. Thanks for the tip!

To add to the point above: I've been following this and honestly feel pretty let down by the native options for this mount lately. Unfortunately, I've had issues with the build quality on the Canon zooms and they just aren't as good as I expected for travel. It's frustrating because the body is so great but the glass feels like an afterthought. Before I really dive in tho, I gotta ask:

• Are you worried about the mount being discontinued soon?
• Do you actually need a zoom or would a few small primes work for you? If you want my real advice, just look at the Sigma lineup. You basically can't go wrong with anything they make for this system. I'd skip the Canon glass and go with a third party option because the value is just so much better... it makes the native lenses look like overpriced toys tbh.

Ok so just found this thread and wanted to chime in from a market research perspective. You really need to be careful about the "native trap" with the EF-M system right now. Basically, Canon has shifted all R&D to the RF-mount, so buying premium native EF-M glass at full retail is honestly a risky move for your long-term value. My big warning: dont ignore the third-party market. For this mount, third-party manufacturers basically offer much better price-to-performance than Canons own offerings. While that native all-in-one is convenient, youre often paying a "brand tax" for lenses that have significant barrel distortion and soft corners that the camera body has to fix via software. If you compare the EF-M lens catalog to whats available for other APS-C systems like Fuji or Sony, the native Canon zooms are technically lagging behind in optical design and T-stop performance. TL;DR: Be cautious about sinking heavy cash into native zooms for an EOL (End of Life) system; third-party glass usually provides better optical value for travel tho!!!

I agree with Janet about being careful with the mount situation, you really gotta watch where youre putting your money since everything is shifting to RF now. Just a few things to keep in mind for your trip tho:

• Be super careful with the pickpockets in the crowded spots like the Trevi Fountain, theyre professionals.
• I actually missed half my shots in Milan because I was too busy hunting down this specific leather shop my cousin recommended.
• Turned out the shop had been closed for three years but I found a killer espresso bar next door.
• I spent like three hours just talking to the owner about vintage Vespas instead of taking photos. Basically spent the whole afternoon drinking caffeine and forgot I even had my gear bag with me until it started raining lol. Anyway sorry, I totally went off on a tangent there.