Canon users are spoilt for choice when it comes to lenses with a 70-300mm zoom range or similar. The full range of options is: the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM (SRP £1,600); EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM (SRP £650); EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM (SRP £350); EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III (SRP £300); EF 70-300mm...

Ultra-reliable AF and IS systems

Poorer sharpness past f/16

Handling and features Canon have given the 70-300mm range an L-series makeover and as a result this lens sports silent autofocus, with full-time manual override, weather sealing, optical stabilisation and tougher build quality than you might normally find on a lens covering this range.

Canon's lens range is already extensive and includes two 70-300mm models: the f/4-5.6 IS USM and f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM optics. The new Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM is one of the company's professional L-series models, in traditional off-white with the distinctive red ring around the front.

The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 USM L IS delivers high quality results throughout the zoom range but especially at 70mm. At 300mm it is clearly better than its in-house cousins (EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 USM IS & EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM DO IS) reaching very good to excellent center results combined very...

When we first saw the new Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 L IS USM lens, we thought it just looked like a standard 70-300mm lens with a white overcoat on. After using the lens for some time, we're blown away by the image clarity, sharpness, build quality and speed of focusing.

This medium telephoto zoom is one of a number of lenses that Canon make in the 70–200, 300mm range. It is middling in price and performance, ideal for anyone looking for a good lens for occasional use.

This is a sweet and smooth lens in use; Auto focus is fast enough and the feel of zoom and focus controls is good; It is light enough to carry around without getting a pain in the neck, yet not so light that there are worries about durability

There is slight barrel distortion at the wide end – nothing to worry about in field use – and slightly more pincushion at the 300mm end; It is easy enough to correct in Photoshop

We went to the Morton Arboretum near Chicago and "played" with the new lens. We are thrilled with it. First time out and we can't be happier, except for the weight and our own inexperience, the lens performed admirably. We also want to say that it is good for both outdoors and portrait shots.

Consistent Output; Easily Interchangeable; Rugged; Strong Construction

Blurry Focus; Heavy; Slow Focus

Great all around high quality L Series Canon lens. Excellent image quality from wide to higher zoom. Rapid, quiet, accurate focus. Comparatively lightweight and compact for quality of lens and wide zoom range.[...] I have several other L series lenses; this one is up to the high standards of Canon.

Relatively Lightweight; Superb optics; Wide zoom range

None noted

Canon announced the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM, on 26 August, 2010 in the lead-in to September's Photokina Trade Show. Targeted at professionals and advanced amateur photographers it's surprisingly compact for its specifications and usable with all of the company's DLSR cameras.

Canon offers five different 70-300mm zoom lenses in its product lineup. Why so many? They obviously think this is a popular and practical focal length range and I happen to agree. I even own one of them myself-the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM-but the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM tested is the mac daddy...