Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM vs Canon EF 300mm F2.8 L USM

This is a full comparison between the lenses Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM and Canon EF 300mm F2.8 L USM.

Compare Specifications

Product
Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 300mm F2.8 L USM
Name Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM Canon EF 300mm F2.8 L USM
Manufacturer Canon Canon
SKU
Release Date and Price
Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 300mm F2.8 L USM
Release Year 2005 1987
Release Date
MSRP 649 USD N/A
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Lens Type
Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 300mm F2.8 L USM
Lens Type Telephoto Telephoto
Zoom or Prime Zoom lens Prime lens (no zoom)
Mount and Compatibility
Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 300mm F2.8 L USM
Mount Canon EF Canon EF
Designed for APS-C sensor No (Suitable for all sensors) No (Suitable for all sensors)
Focus
Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 300mm F2.8 L USM
Autofocus (AF) Yes Yes
Built-in Autofocus (AF) Motor Yes Yes
Motor Type No information No information
Focus Method No information No information
Closest Focusing Distance 150 cm 300 cm
Maximum Magnification
Aperture
Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 300mm F2.8 L USM
Maximum Aperture F4-5,6
This lens has a variable aperture at different focal lengths.
F4 at 70 mm
F5,6 at 300 mm
Variable Aperture
F2,8
Diaphragm Blades No information No information
Optics
Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 300mm F2.8 L USM
Construction 15 elements  /  10 groups 10 elements  /  8 groups
Special Elements/Coatings No information No information
Focal Length
Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 300mm F2.8 L USM
Focal Length 70-300 mm 300 mm
Zoom Range 230 mm None (Prime lens)
No Zoom available.
Built-in Teleconverter No No
Teleconverter Multiplier N/A N/A
Image Stabilization Yes
IS
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating N/A N/A
Physical
Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 300mm F2.8 L USM
Weather Sealing No No
Diameter 76 mm 125 mm
Length 142 mm 253 mm
Weight 630 gr 2855 gr
Other
Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 300mm F2.8 L USM
Filter Type Filter Thread Drop-in Filter
Filter Diameter 58 mm 48 mm
Lens Hood Not Included Included
Lens Hood SKU ET-65B N/A
Tripod Collar N/A Included
Tripod Collar SKU N/A N/A