Canon
EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
 vs
Canon
EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Better telephoto 300 mm vs 200 mm
Help
 50% more reach, less perspective distortion
More zoom 4.3x vs 2.9x
Help
 Around 50% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
Shorter 142 mm vs 172 mm
Help
 Around 20% shorter
Slightly cheaper $649.00 vs $1,149.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $500 cheaper (more than 40% less)
Slightly more magnification 1:4 (0.2x) vs 1:4.8 (0.2x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects more than 20% larger in your photo
Slightly lighter 0.6 kg vs 0.8 kg
Help
 Around 20% lighter
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Learn more about
the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Reasons to consider the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Has a consant aperture Yes vs No
Help
 Constant aperture lenses offer the same aperture at all focal lengths
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM Learn more about
the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Image stabilization Very good image stabilization Help
Canon IS
Focus motor Silent focus motor Help
Silent and fast
Wide maximum Wide aperture Help
f/32
Prime lens Both are zoom lenses Help
Typically not as sharp as prime lenses
Aperture Very narrow widest aperture size Help
f/4

Compared to telephoto lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Min focal length Good wide-angle Help
70 mm
Weight Light weight Help
EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM:0.6 kg
EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM:0.8 kg

LensHero is not aware of any interesting weaknesses shared by these two products.

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Canon-ef

Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Canon-ef

Wildlife lens

$449
Image stabilization Has worse image stabilization
Focus motor Lacks a silent focus motor
Compare the SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Canon-ef vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Compare the SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Canon-ef vs the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

Wildlife lens

$299
Focus motor Lacks a silent focus motor
Compare the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Compare the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS vs the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM

Wildlife lens

$1,399
Compare the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Compare the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM vs the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Travel lens

$699
Min focal length Has a slightly wider wide angle lens
Zoom range Has way more large zoom range
Wide maximum Has a lower max f/stop
Focus motor Lacks a silent focus motor
Compare the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Compare the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Wildlife lens

$397
Wide maximum Has a lower max f/stop
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR vs the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Wildlife lens

$1,499
Max focal length Has a slightly shorter telephoto lens
Weight Is heavier
Compare the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Compare the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM vs the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

Telephoto lens

$629
Image stabilization Doesn't have image stabilization
Compare the EF 70-200mm f/4L USM vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Compare the EF 70-200mm f/4L USM vs the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM

Canon 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM

Wildlife lens

$169
Length Slightly shorter
Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Compare the 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS Canon-ef

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS Canon-ef

Wildlife lens

$309
Length Slightly shorter
Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Wide maximum Much wider aperture
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS Canon-ef vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Travel lens

$499 - $549
Zoom range More zoom
Min focal length Better wide angle
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Compare the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM

Sports lens

$2,499
Aperture Wider aperture
Image stabilization Better image stabilization
Weight Heavier
Lowest price More expensive
Compare the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM vs the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

Sports lens

$1,899
Aperture Wider aperture
Weight Heavier
Lowest price More expensive
Compare the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM vs the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Wide angle lens

$1,149
Length Shorter
Zoom range More zoom
Wide maximum Significantly wider aperture
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Compare the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM vs the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

Sports lens

$1,289
Aperture Wider aperture
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Weight Heavier
Compare the 70-200mm f/2.8L USM vs the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM

discussion Which do you think is better?

Speech is free, but discussion at LensHero is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of these lenses here, and discuss feedback for LensHero at our support community.

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