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Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM EF Mount Review

Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM

Main Features

  • 70-300mm Focal Range
  • F4-5.6 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 710g / 1.56 lb
  • Dimensions(øxL): 80mm x 146mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 1.2m
  • Max Magnification: 0.25x
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Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM Overview


Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM is a Variable aperture Auto Focus (AF) Telephoto Zoom lens with Optical Image stabilization and 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with EF Mount cameras.

What type of photography is the Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM lens good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use the Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Suitability
Bird/WildlifeGood
SportsGood
PortraitAverage
TravelFair
StreetFair
WeddingAverage
Walk AroundAverage
VloggingPoor
LandscapeAverage
MacroAverage

Reasons to Buy Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM Lens

Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.

PROs
Optical Image Stabilization
Autofocus
Full-time Manual Focusing
Zoom Lock
Covers Full-Frame Sensor
9 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh
Report a correction

Buy Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM from Amazon or B&H PHOTO


CONs
No Weather Sealing
Hood is not supplied
Lens Extends while zooming
Slow Aperture at Tele end
Variable Aperture


Lens Mount

Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM is compatible with cameras that have a Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF lenses are Canon 1D X III, Canon 6D MII and Canon 5D MIV.


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Size, Weight and Filter Thread

Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM has a maximum diameter of 80mm and total length of 146mm when not extended. It weighs 710g / 25.0 oz.

Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM has a filter thread of 67mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM:

  • 67mm Variable ND Lens Filters
  • 67mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filters
  • 67mm Clear Protection Lens Filters




Focal Range

Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM has a focal range of 70-300mm and 4.3X zoom ratio. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 112 - 480mm.


Optical Image Stabilization

The Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting.

Zoom Method

Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM features Rotary (extending) zoom method where the length of the lens changes as you zoom in or out. This makes it possible to design the lens with a smaller minimum length ( generally when it is zoomed out) compared to internal zoom lenses. The disadvantages of this design are being harder to seal against dust and moisture, weight balance shifting while zooming and zoom creep in certain lenses.

Zoom Lock

Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM has a Zoom lock feature which eliminates Zoom creep where focal length of the lens changes with gravity when it's held downwards or upwards.

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.25x and has a minimum focusing distance of 1.2m. For a non-macro lens, the 0.25x is considered a high magnification and will come handy for close-up shots.

Below are the 3 Telephoto Zoom type Canon12 mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:

  • Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG: 0.5x - (Compare)
  • Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG: 0.5x - (Compare)
  • Tamron 70-210mm F4 Di VC USD: 0.32x - (Compare)

Aperture

Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM is a variable aperture lens with a max aperture of f4 and a minimum aperture of f32 at 70mm, and a max aperture of f5.6 and minimum aperture of f45 at 300mm .

Focal Length Max Aperture Min Aperture
70mm F4 F32
300mm F5.6 F45

Optical Formula

Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM's optical formula consists of 17 elements in 12 groups . Special elements used in this design is UD element.

Lens Hood

Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM doesn't come with a lens hood.

Body Colour

Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM is available in Black color.

Popular Comparisons of Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM

Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III USM Lens Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III USM
Compare
35mm FF 480 g / 1.06 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6L IS USM Lens Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6L IS USM
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35mm FF 1,050 g / 2.31 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6 IS Lens Canon EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6 IS
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APS-C / DX 390 g / 0.86 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD Lens Tamron SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD
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35mm FF 765 g / 1.68 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Lens Canon EF 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM
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35mm FF 720 g / 1.58 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG Macro Lens Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG Macro
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35mm FF 550 g / 1.21 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM Lens Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM
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35mm FF 630 g / 1.39 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM
Compare
35mm FF 1,590 g / 3.50 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM Alternatives in Canon EF Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM Lens Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 630 g / 1.39 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6L IS USM Lens Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 1050 g / 2.31 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Lens Canon EF 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 720 g / 1.58 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III Lens Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III
Compare
35mm FF 480 g / 1.06 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III USM Lens Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III USM
Compare
35mm FF 480 g / 1.06 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 IS USM Lens Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 650 g / 1.43 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 90-300mm f4.5-5.6 Lens Canon EF 90-300mm f4.5-5.6
Compare
35mm FF 420 g / 0.92 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 90-300mm f4.5-5.6 USM Lens Canon EF 90-300mm f4.5-5.6 USM
Compare
35mm FF 420 g / 0.92 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tokina AT-X 80-400mm f4.5-5.6 Lens Tokina AT-X 80-400mm f4.5-5.6
Compare
35mm FF 1020 g / 2.24 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro Lens Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro
Compare
35mm FF 550 g / 1.21 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG Macro Lens Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG Macro
Compare
35mm FF 550 g / 1.21 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS Lens Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS
Compare
35mm FF 610 g / 1.34 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 70-210mm F4 Di VC USD Lens Tamron 70-210mm F4 Di VC USD
Compare
35mm FF 859 g / 1.89 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron AF 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di LD Macro Lens Tamron AF 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di LD Macro
Compare
35mm FF 435 g / 0.96 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD Lens Tamron SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD
Compare
35mm FF 765 g / 1.68 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo

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Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Canon
Lens Type Zoom
Lens Type Telephoto Zoom
Lens Mount Canon EF
Max Format 35mm FF
Focal Range 70-300mm
Image Stabilization Yes
Colour Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No
Zoom Lock Yes
Zoom Ratio 4.3X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F4-5.6
Min Aperture F32-45
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades 9
Optics
Optical Elements 17
Optical Groups 12
Special Elements UD element

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 1.2m
Max Magnification 0.25X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Nano ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Rear
Distance Scale No
DoF Scale No
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 710g
Diameter 80mm
Length 146mm
Weather Sealing No
Filter Thread 67mm
Filter Notes -
Hood Supplied No
Tripod Collar No
Report a Correction
Frequently Asked Questions about Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM
is the Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM a Weather-sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM
is the Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM
Does Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM have Image Stabilization?
Does Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM


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