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Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM Review

Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM

Main Features

  • 70-300mm Focal Range
  • F4.0 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Filter Thread: 58mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 630g.
  • Diameter: 77mm
  • Length: 143mm
  • Min Focus Distance:1.5m
  • Max Magnification:0.26x
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Canon 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM Overview

Canon 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM is an Auto Focus (AF) Telephoto Zoom lens with 35mm FF max sensor coverage and it is designed to be used with Canon EF mount cameras.

Lenses in Canon EF Mount with Same Focal and Aperture Range
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
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 1050gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro Lens Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro
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35mm FF 550gr 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 550gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS Lens Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS
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35mm FF 610gr 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
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35mm FF 435gr 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 765gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mount

Canon 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM is compatible with cameras that have 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.

Focal Range

Canon 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS 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

Canon 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS 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 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS 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 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS 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 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.26x and has a minimum focusing distance of 1.5m. For a non-macro lens, the 0.26x is considered a high magnification and will come handy for close-up shots.

Aperture

Canon 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS 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 .

Optical Formula

Canon 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM's optical formula consists of 15 elements in 10 groups . Special elements used in this design is 1 UD glass element.

Lens Hood

Canon 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM doesn't come with a lens hood but there is an optional lens hood with a part code of ET-65B that you can order separately.

Popular Comparisons of Canon 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM

Here is the eight most popular comparisons of Canon 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Canon 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro Lens Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro
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35mm FF 550gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM Lens Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM
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35mm FF 710gr 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 1050gr 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 765gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III Lens Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III
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35mm FF 480gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6 IS STM Lens Canon EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6 IS STM
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APS-C / DX 375gr 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 720gr 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 390gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

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**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.

Pros and Cons of Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM


PROs
Image Stabilization
Built-in Autofocus
Zoom Lock
Covers Full-Frame Sensor

CONs
No Weather Sealing
Hood is not supplied
Lens Extents while focusing
Slow Aperture at Wide end
Slow Aperture at Tele end
Variable Aperture
Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM Alternatives in Canon EF Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM Lens Canon EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II USM
Compare
35mm FF 710gr 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 1050gr 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 720gr 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 480gr 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 480gr 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 650gr 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 420gr 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 420gr 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 550gr 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 550gr 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 610gr 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 435gr 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 765gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Canon 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS 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 Unknown
Zoom Method Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No Zoom
Zoom Lock Yes
Zoom Ratio 4.3X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F4.0 - F5.6
Min Aperture F32.0 - F45.0
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades 8
Optics
Optical Elements 15
Optical Groups 10
Special Elements 1 UD glass element

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 1.5m
Max Magnification 0.26X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Micro-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual No
Focus Method Extending front
Distance Scale No
DoF Scale No
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 630g
Diameter 77mm
Length 143mm
Materials Plastic barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing No
Filter Thread 58mm
Filter Notes rotates on focusing
Hood Supplied No
Hood Code ET-65B
Tripod Collar No
Optional Accessories Lens hood ET-65B Soft case LP1222
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Frequently Asked Questions about Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM
is the Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM a Weather Sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM
is the Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM
Does Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM have Image Stabilization?
Does Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM
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