Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM vs Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM
Side-by-side comparison from our catalogue data. Better values are highlighted only where a clear difference exists.
Verdict at a glance
- Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM is faster by 1 stop (f/2.8 vs f/4.0), letting in more light.
- Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM is lighter by 740g.
- Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM is the newer design (2018 vs 2014).
| Spec | EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM | EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Canon | Canon |
| Mount | Canon EF | Canon EF |
| Type | Telephoto | Telephoto |
| Focal length | 400mm | 400mm |
| Max aperture | f/2.8 (faster) | f/4.0 |
| Released | 2018 | 2014 |
| Blades | 9 | 9 |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Groups | 13 | 12 |
| Af motor | USM | USM |
| Elements | 17 | 18 |
| Weight g | 2840.0 | 2100.0 (lighter) |
| Length mm | 343.0 | 232.7 |
| Stabilized | Yes | Yes |
| Diameter mm | 163.0 | 128.0 |
| Min focus m | 2.5 (closer focusing) | 3.3 |
| Max magnification | 0.17 | 0.13 |
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM
The third generation of Canon's 400mm f/2.8 supertelephoto, redesigned to be much lighter than the II. Image stabilization and fluorite elements.
Pros
- About a kilogram lighter than the II
- f/2.8 aperture
- Stabilized
- Fast AF
Cons
- Still heavy at about 2.8 kg
- Demands a monopod
- Large
Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM
The 2014 revision of the diffractive-optics 400mm f/4 with improved flare control. At about 2.1kg it is slightly heavier than the first version.
Pros
- About 2.1kg
- IS with panning mode
- Improved contrast over the first DO
- Takes Canon extenders
Cons
- Diffractive optics can show ring patterns in out-of-focus highlights
- Slightly heavier than the first version