Canon
EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM
 vs
Canon
100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM
Wider aperture f/4 vs f/4.5
Help
 At its widest, the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM captures marginally more light, 0.3 f-stops
Slightly better wide angle 70 mm vs 100 mm
Help
 30% better wide angle
Slightly lighter 1 kg vs 1.4 kg
Help
 More than 20% lighter
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM Learn more about
the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM

Reasons to consider the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Better telephoto 400 mm vs 300 mm
Help
 More than 30% more reach, less perspective distortion
Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Learn more about
the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L 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
Max focal length Good telephoto Help
EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM:300 mm
100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM:400 mm
Prime lens Both are zoom lenses Help
Typically not as sharp as prime lenses
Aperture Very narrow widest aperture size Help
EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM:f/4
100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM:f/4.5
Fixed aperture Both are variable aperture lenses Help
Narrower aperture at longer focal lengths

Compared to wildlife lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses

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

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

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

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

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

Telephoto lens

$1,149
Fixed aperture Has a fixed aperture
Max focal length Has a slightly longer telephoto lens
Compare the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM
Compare the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

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

Wildlife lens

$649
Compare the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM
Compare the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L 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 Has a wider aperture
Fixed aperture Has a fixed aperture
Max focal length Has a slightly longer telephoto lens
Length Is longer
Compare the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM
Compare the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef

Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef

Wildlife lens

$1,019
Max focal length Has a slightly shorter telephoto lens
Min focal length Has a slightly narrower wide angle lens
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM
Compare the 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Canon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM

Canon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM

Travel lens

$2,554
Wide maximum Has a higher max f/stop
Zoom range Has much large zoom range
Compare the 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM
Compare the 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef

Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef

Wildlife lens

$899
Wide maximum Has a lower max f/stop
Image stabilization Has worse image stabilization
Compare the 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM
Compare the 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Canon-ef vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L 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
Weight Is lighter
Focus motor Lacks a silent focus motor
Compare the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM
Compare the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L 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
Fixed aperture Has a consant aperture
Aperture Wider aperture
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Length Longer
Compare the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM

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

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM

Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM

Wildlife lens

$1,998
Zoom range More zoom
Aperture Wider aperture
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Lowest price Slightly more expensive
Compare the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Nikon Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED

Nikon Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED

Wildlife lens

$1,499
Zoom range More zoom
Min focal length Slightly better wide angle
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Compare the Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED vs the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

discussion Which do you think is better?

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