Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM vs Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS 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 300mm f/4L IS USM is lighter by 1360g.
- Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM is the newer design (1999 vs 1997).
| Spec | EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM | EF 300mm f/4L IS USM |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Canon | Canon |
| Mount | Canon EF | Canon EF |
| Type | Prime | Prime |
| Focal length | 300mm | 300mm |
| Max aperture | f/300.0 | f/300.0 |
| Released | 1999 | 1997 |
| Blades | 8 | 8 |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Groups | 13 | 11 |
| Af motor | USM | USM |
| Elements | 17 | 15 |
| Weight g | 2550.0 | 1190.0 (lighter) |
| Length mm | 252.0 | 221.0 |
| Stabilized | Yes | Yes |
| Diameter mm | 128.0 | 90.0 |
| Min focus m | 2.5 | 1.5 (closer focusing) |
| Max magnification | 0.13 | 0.24 |
| Filter mm | n/a | 77 |
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM
The 1999 first version of Canon's stabilized 300mm f/2.8 super-telephoto. It was succeeded by the II in 2010.
Pros
- f/2.8 aperture with IS
- Sharp optics
- Fast ring USM
- Takes extenders
Cons
- About 2.5kg
- Older IS generation than the II
- Minimum focus of 2.5m
Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
A compact 300mm telephoto with image stabilization and an f/4 aperture. A long-standing wildlife and sports lens that takes extenders.
Pros
- Light for a 300mm
- Image stabilization
- Compatible with extenders
- Sharp
Cons
- Older ring USM motor
- Only f/4
- Long hood adds bulk