Sigma
120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Canon-ef
 vs
Canon
EF 300mm f/4L IS USM

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Canon-ef
Significantly better wide angle 120 mm vs 300 mm
Help
 2.5x better wide angle
Wider aperture f/2.8 vs f/4
Help
 At its widest, the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Canon-ef captures slightly more light, 1 f-stop
More zoom 2.5x vs 1x
Help
 2.5x more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Canon-ef Learn more about
the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Canon-ef

Reasons to consider the Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
Is a prime lens Yes vs No
Help
 Prime lenses have a single focal length, they are typically sharper and have wider apertures
Significantly lighter 1.2 kg vs 2.9 kg
Help
 2.5x lighter
Better image stabilization Canon IS vs Sigma OS
Help
 Less risk of blur
Cheaper $1,349.00 vs $2,499.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $1,150 cheaper (around 50% less)
More magnification 1:4.2 (0.2x) vs 1:8.3 (0.1x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects around 2x larger in your photo
Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM Learn more about
the Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Focus motor Silent focus motor Help
120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Canon-ef:Sigma HSM
EF 300mm f/4L IS USM:Canon USM
Image stabilization Good image stabilization Help
120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Canon-ef:Sigma OS
EF 300mm f/4L IS USM:Canon IS
Max focal length Good telephoto Help
300 mm
Min focal length Poor wide angle Help
120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Canon-ef:120 mm
EF 300mm f/4L IS USM:300 mm

Compared to wildlife lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses

LensHero is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.
Zoom range Poor zoom Help
120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Canon-ef:2.5x
EF 300mm f/4L IS USM:1x

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

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

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

Wildlife lens

$649
Length Is shorter
Zoom range Has slightly large zoom range
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Fixed aperture Has a variable aperture
Compare the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM vs the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Canon-ef
Compare the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM vs the EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM

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

Sports lens

$2,499
Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Max focal length Has a slightly longer telephoto lens
Compare the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM vs the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Canon-ef
Compare the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM vs the EF 300mm 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
Max focal length Has a slightly longer telephoto lens
Compare the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM vs the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Canon-ef
Compare the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM vs the EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

Sports lens

$4,340
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Min focal length Has a significantly narrower wide angle lens
Compare the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM vs the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Canon-ef
Compare the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM vs the EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX DG IF HSM Canon-ef

Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX DG IF HSM Canon-ef

Wildlife lens

$1,049
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Image stabilization Doesn't have image stabilization
Compare the 100-300mm f/4 EX DG IF HSM Canon-ef vs the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Canon-ef
Compare the 100-300mm f/4 EX DG IF HSM Canon-ef vs the EF 300mm f/4L IS USM

Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Canon-ef Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM

Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM

Sports lens

$5,999
Prime lens Is a prime lens
Image stabilization Better image stabilization
Lowest price Significantly more expensive
Min focal length Worse wide angle
Compare the EF 200mm f/2L IS USM vs the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Canon-ef
Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f

Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f

Sports lens

$2,999
Weight Slightly lighter
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Lowest price Slightly more expensive
Compare the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Nikon-f vs the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Canon-ef
Olympus Zuiko 90-250mm f/2.8 ED

Olympus Zuiko 90-250mm f/2.8 ED

Sports lens

$5,999
Min focal length Slightly better wide angle
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Compare the Zuiko 90-250mm f/2.8 ED vs the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Canon-ef
Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Canon-ef

Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Canon-ef

Sports lens

$2,999
Weight Slightly lighter
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Lowest price Slightly more expensive
Compare the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Canon-ef vs the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Canon-ef
Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF

Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF

Sports lens

$28,999
Max focal length Significantly better telephoto
Lowest price Much more expensive
Weight Much heavier
Compare the 200-500mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF vs the 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Canon-ef

Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon 400mm f/5.6L USM

Canon 400mm f/5.6L USM

Wildlife lens

$1,219
Max focal length Better telephoto
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Aperture Significantly narrower aperture
Compare the 400mm f/5.6L USM vs the EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

Telephoto lens

$629
Min focal length Much better wide angle
Zoom range More zoom
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Prime lens Is a zoom lens
Compare the EF 70-200mm f/4L USM vs the EF 300mm 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
Min focal length Significantly better wide angle
Zoom range More zoom
Prime lens Is a zoom lens
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM vs the EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
Sigma 500mm f/4.5 EX DG APO Sony-alpha

Sigma 500mm f/4.5 EX DG APO Sony-alpha

Wildlife lens

$4,699
Max focal length Significantly better telephoto
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Compare the 500mm f/4.5 EX DG APO Sony-alpha vs the EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
Pentax SMC DA* 300mm f/4 ED SDM

Pentax SMC DA* 300mm f/4 ED SDM

Wildlife lens

$1,397
Length Shorter
Weight Slightly lighter
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Compare the SMC DA* 300mm f/4 ED SDM vs the EF 300mm 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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