Nikon Nikkor
AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
 vs
Canon
EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Nikon AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
More zoom 5.5x vs 4.3x
Help
 Around 30% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
Slightly shorter 123 mm vs 142 mm
Help
 More than 10% shorter
Slightly better wide angle 55 mm vs 70 mm
Help
 More than 20% better wide angle
Slightly more magnification 1:3.6 (0.3x) vs 1:4 (0.2x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects more than 10% larger in your photo
Slightly cheaper $396.95 vs $649.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $252 cheaper (around 40% less)
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Learn more about
the Nikon AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Reasons to consider the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Significantly narrower aperture f/32 vs f/22
Help
 At its narrowest, the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM goes 1.1 f-stops narrower
Wider aperture f/4 vs f/4.5
Help
 At its widest, the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM captures marginally more light, 0.3 f-stops
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Learn more about
the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Image stabilization Very good image stabilization Help
AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:Nikon VR
EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM:Canon IS
Focus motor Silent focus motor Help
AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:Nikon AF-S
EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM:Canon USM
Max focal length Good telephoto Help
300 mm
Prime lens Both are zoom lenses Help
Typically not as sharp as prime lenses
Aperture Very narrow widest aperture size Help
AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:f/4.5
EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM:f/4
Fixed aperture Both are variable aperture lenses Help
Narrower aperture at longer focal lengths

Compared to wildlife lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Weight Light weight Help
0.6 kg
Min focal length Good wide-angle Help
AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:55 mm
EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM:70 mm
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:$396.95
EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM:$649.00
Length Short Help
AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:123 mm
EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM:142 mm

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

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
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 Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Compare the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
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
Length Is longer
Compare the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM vs the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Compare the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Nikon-f

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

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 Nikon-f vs the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Compare the SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Nikon-f vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 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 Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Compare the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

Telephoto lens

$629
Fixed aperture Has a fixed aperture
Max focal length Has a slightly longer telephoto lens
Image stabilization Doesn't have image stabilization
Compare the EF 70-200mm f/4L USM vs the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Compare the EF 70-200mm f/4L USM vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

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

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

Nikon Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

Wildlife lens

$150
Wide maximum Significantly narrower aperture
Aperture Wider aperture
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Compare the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G vs the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

Wildlife lens

$247
Aperture Wider aperture
Length Slightly shorter
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Zoom range Less zoom
Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED vs the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Nikon Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

Nikon Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

Wildlife lens

$587
Zoom range Less zoom
Min focal length Slightly worse wide angle
Compare the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED vs the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Nikon-f

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Nikon-f

Macro lens

$199
Magnification More magnification
Aperture Wider aperture
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Nikon-f vs the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Nikon Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Nikon Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Travel lens

$330
Aperture Wider aperture
Length Shorter
Max focal length Significantly worse telephoto
Magnification Less magnification
Compare the Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX vs the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

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
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 Worse image stabilization
Focus motor Doesn't have 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
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-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

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

Travel lens

$699
Zoom range Much more zoom
Min focal length Better wide angle
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Wide maximum Significantly wider aperture
Compare the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 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.

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