Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM vs Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM
Every published spec side by side, with today's lowest prices for the market you've chosen.
Key differences
- Maximum aperture: f/4–5.6 on the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM, against f/4.5–5.6 on the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM.
- Closest focus: 0.98 m on the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM, against 1.20 m on the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM.
- Max magnification: 0.31× on the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM, against 0.25× on the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM.
- Weather sealed: Yes on the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM, against No on the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM.
- Weight: 710 g on the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM, against 1,570 g on the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM.
EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM or EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM: which should you buy?
Choose the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM for its closest focus, max magnification and weather sealed.
Choose the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM for its maximum aperture and weight.
On paper the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM wins more rows (3 to 2); if the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM's strengths are the ones you shoot with, and its price is lower where you buy, it can still be the better buy.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest price today | Not priced in US yet | $299.99 new $499.90 used |
| Optics | ||
| Focal length | 100–400mm | 70–300mm |
| 35mm equivalent | 100–400mm (full frame) | 70–300mm (full frame) |
| Maximum apertureLower f-number lets in more light. A zoom wins only when it is as bright at both ends. | f/4.5–5.6 | f/4–5.6 (best) |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 | f/32 |
| Made for | Full frame | Full frame |
| Elements / groups | 21 / 16 | 17 / 12 |
| Aperture blades | 9 | 9 |
| Closest focus | 0.98 m (best) | 1.20 m |
| Max magnification | 0.31× (best) | 0.25× |
| Focus & handling | ||
| Autofocus | Yes (Ring-type USM) | Yes (Nano USM) |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | Yes |
| Weather sealed | Yes (best) | No |
| Internal zoom | No | No |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Teleconverter compatible | Yes | No |
| Size & weight | ||
| Weight | 1,570 g | 710 g (best) |
| Diameter × length | 94 × 193 mm | 80 × 145.5 mm |
| Filter thread | 77 mm | 67 mm |
Green marks the better figure where “better” is unambiguous. A dash means the maker doesn't publish it or we haven't verified it yet.