Nikon Nikkor
300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR
 vs
Canon
500mm f/4L EF IS II USM

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Nikon 300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR
Significantly better wide angle 300 mm vs 500 mm
Help
 40% better wide angle
Wider aperture f/2.8 vs f/4
Help
 At its widest, the 300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR captures slightly more light, 1 f-stop
Nikon Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR Learn more about
the Nikon 300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR

Reasons to consider the Canon 500mm f/4L EF IS II USM
Has a silent focus motor Canon USM vs None
Help
 Focuses quickly and silently
Significantly better telephoto 500 mm vs 300 mm
Help
 Around 70% more reach, less perspective distortion
Better image stabilization Canon IS II vs Nikon VR
Help
 Less risk of blur
Canon 500mm f/4L EF IS II USM Learn more about
the Canon 500mm f/4L EF IS II USM

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Image stabilization Very good image stabilization Help
300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR:Nikon VR
500mm f/4L EF IS II USM:Canon IS II
Max focal length Good telephoto Help
300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR:300 mm
500mm f/4L EF IS II USM:500 mm
Prime lens Fixed focal length prime lenses Help
Typically very sharp
Min focal length Poor wide angle Help
300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR:300 mm
500mm f/4L EF IS II USM:500 mm
Zoom range Poor zoom Help
1x

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 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

Sports lens

$4,340
Lowest price Is much less expensive
Compare the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM vs the Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR
Compare the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM vs the 500mm f/4L EF IS II USM
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 500mm f/4G ED VR II

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 500mm f/4G ED VR II

Wildlife lens

$7,999
Lowest price Is slightly less expensive
Min focal length Has a significantly narrower wide angle lens
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 500mm f/4G ED VR II vs the Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 500mm f/4G ED VR II vs the 500mm f/4L EF IS II USM
Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM

Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM

Wildlife lens

$6,140
Lowest price Is significantly less expensive
Min focal length Has a significantly narrower wide angle lens
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the EF 500mm f/4L IS USM vs the Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR
Compare the EF 500mm f/4L IS USM vs the 500mm f/4L EF IS II USM
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM

Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM

Sports lens

$10,999
Min focal length Has a slightly narrower wide angle lens
Weight Is heavier
Compare the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM vs the Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR
Compare the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM vs the 500mm f/4L EF IS II USM
Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM

Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM

Wildlife lens

$13,899
Max focal length Has a significantly shorter telephoto lens
Lowest price Is significantly more expensive
Min focal length Has a much narrower wide angle lens
Compare the EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM vs the Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR
Compare the EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM vs the 500mm f/4L EF IS II USM
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 600mm f/4G ED VR

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 600mm f/4G ED VR

Wildlife lens

$9,199
Max focal length Has a slightly shorter telephoto lens
Min focal length Has a much narrower wide angle lens
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 600mm f/4G ED VR vs the Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 600mm f/4G ED VR vs the 500mm f/4L EF IS II USM
Sigma 300mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Nikon-f

Sigma 300mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Nikon-f

Sports lens

$3,399
Lowest price Is much less expensive
Weight Is lighter
Image stabilization Doesn't have image stabilization
Compare the 300mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR
Compare the 300mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Nikon-f vs the 500mm f/4L EF IS II USM

Nikon Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D ED-IF

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D ED-IF

Wildlife lens

$1,134
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D ED-IF vs the Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR
Canon 400mm f/5.6L USM

Canon 400mm f/5.6L USM

Wildlife lens

$1,219
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Max focal length Better telephoto
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Aperture Much narrower aperture
Compare the 400mm f/5.6L USM vs the Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR
Nikon Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

Nikon Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

Low light lens

$429
Min focal length Much better wide angle
Aperture Wider aperture
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Max focal length Significantly worse telephoto
Compare the Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D vs the Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 400mm f/2.8G ED VR

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 400mm f/2.8G ED VR

Sports lens

$8,899
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Max focal length Better telephoto
Min focal length Worse wide angle
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 400mm f/2.8G ED VR vs the Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR
Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM

Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM

Sports lens

$3,599
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Min focal length Significantly better wide angle
Prime lens Is a zoom lens
Image stabilization Worse image stabilization
Compare the 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM vs the Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 G ED-IF VR

Canon 500mm f/4L EF IS II USM Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM

Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM

Wildlife lens

$12,999
Max focal length Better telephoto
Lowest price More expensive
Min focal length Worse wide angle
Compare the EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM vs the 500mm f/4L EF IS II USM
Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM

Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM

Wildlife lens

$5,999
Lowest price Significantly cheaper
Min focal length Better wide angle
Image stabilization Worse image stabilization
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Compare the EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM vs the 500mm f/4L EF IS II USM
Leica Summilux 24mm f/1.4

Leica Summilux 24mm f/1.4

Low light lens

$6,995
Min focal length Much better wide angle
Aperture Much wider aperture
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Max focal length Much worse telephoto
Compare the Summilux 24mm f/1.4 vs the 500mm f/4L EF IS II USM
Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG APO IF HSM

Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG APO IF HSM

Wildlife lens

$6,999
Max focal length Much better telephoto
Min focal length Significantly better wide angle
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Weight Much heavier
Compare the 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG APO IF HSM vs the 500mm f/4L EF IS II 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.

Showing 0 comments
“LensHero will help you cut through the sheer number of lenses out there to find the few you want to read more about”
- LifeHacker
“Finding the right lens on Lenshero is incredibly easy!”
- Revell Photography
“I am in love with LensHero.”
- Shoot from the Belly
“Kind of a little bit in love with LensHero”
- @alicetragedy
“No technical stuff whatsoever, just plain and simple questions complete with examples so that any user can understand”
- Karel Donk, Photographer
“I love that I can pull up different lenses in my price range that will fit my DSLR.”
- Jennifer Sutton
feedback and support | about | blog | privacy and legal
Copyright © 2013 by LensHero, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Rebellion Media Technology