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

Compare Specifications

Product
Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 300mm F2.8 L IS USM
Name Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM Canon EF 300mm F2.8 L IS USM
Manufacturer Canon Canon
SKU
Release Date and Price
Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 300mm F2.8 L IS USM
Release Year 2005 1999
Release Date
MSRP 649 USD 4879 USD
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Lens Type
Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 300mm F2.8 L IS 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 IS 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 IS 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 250 cm
Maximum Magnification 7,7
Aperture
Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 300mm F2.8 L IS 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 IS USM
Construction 15 elements  /  10 groups 17 elements  /  13 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 IS 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
Yes
IS
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating N/A N/A
Physical
Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 300mm F2.8 L IS USM
Weather Sealing No Yes
Diameter 76 mm 128 mm
Length 142 mm 252 mm
Weight 630 gr 2550 gr
Other
Canon EF 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 300mm F2.8 L IS USM
Filter Type Filter Thread Drop-in Filter
Filter Diameter 58 mm 52 mm
Lens Hood Not Included Included
Lens Hood SKU ET-65B ET-120
Tripod Collar N/A Included
Tripod Collar SKU N/A N/A