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

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

Wide Angle | 1/640 sec | f/6.3 | 70.0 mm | ISO 100 High-Res	Autofocus is accurate, even at close distances | 1/800 sec | f/7.1 | 300.0 mm | ISO 100 High-Res
Contrast is good, even when shooting into the light | 1/320 sec | f/7.1 | 300.0 mm | ISO 125 High-Res	Performance is consistently good at maximum aperture | 1/80 sec | f/4.0 | 93.0 mm | ISO 640 High-Res
1/125 sec | f/7.1 | 124.0 mm | ISO 400 High-Res	1/250 sec | f/7.1 | 300.0 mm | ISO 640 High-Res
1/250 sec | f/6.3 | 300.0 mm | ISO 160 High-Res	1/250 sec | f/5.6 | 300.0 mm | ISO 5000 High-Res

Value for Money

Although the thought of paying over £1000 for a 70-300mm lens with a slow and variable maximum aperture may seem a bit much for many, this lens does genuinely seem to offer greater optical performance and build quality than many other lenses covering this range.

Canon's own 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM may be a suitable alternative for many, especially if the build quality and weather sealing are not necessary. The optical performance may not be quite as good as this lens, but as it is priced at around £375, it may be a compromise many are willing to make.

Sigma offer a wide range of 70-300mm lenses, with the closest in terms of specification being their optically stabilised 70-300mm f/4-5.6 OS HSM lens, which can be picked up for around £290. Rather than list every 70-300mm lens currently available, there are plenty of non-stabilised budget zoom lenses covering this focal range available for around £100-£180 from Sigma and Tamron. None of these lenses deliver build quality and clarity of the level seen here, but may be better suited to photographers on a budget, or simply those building their first camera kit from scratch.

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