This long, Tele stabilized zoom replaces Canon's popular 75-300mm f/4-5.6 full-frame IS lens, the industry's first IS/VR lens, introduced in 1995. The new model delivers better image stabilization (to three stops instead of two) and a wider zoom range.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM replaces an earlier generation EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM model that was discontinued in mid 1990s. The lens is one of about a dozen telephoto zooms in Canon's modern lineup, and is one of the only two consumer (read non L, non DO) telephoto zooms that implement an...

With the introduction of the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens, Canon has replaced one of its most popular lenses and its first image stabilized lens - the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS .

It's just a joy to use, and very sharp. It's also a significant step up from the Tamron 70-300 VC, you'll have no worries shooting wide open at 300mm with this one! Perfect on APS-C. Also, do not underestimate how important portability is, it's very compact at 70mm.

Sharp throughout zoom range at f5.6, colour and contrast fantastic; Auto focus is amazingly fast, IS is superb; Very compact, not overly heavy; Metal filter threads; Zoom lock means hood can be stored in reverse orientation and still removed without zooming the lens out

None, well, maybe price; The relatively slow aperture and extension on zooming are not cons, in lens terms they are necessary design compromises to make it the size, weight and focal length range it is

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

I am an L lens freak, got almost all of them including 7 primes, etc. Well in this case dont listen to us L-lens freaks. This is really a hidden gem. The DO version is useless, the L-version is outstanding, for built quality.

sharpness; lightweight; great IS

only built quality

The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM was introduced in October 2005 to replaced the old Canon 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM . Although superficially, this lens looks very similar to the 75-300mm that it replaced, optically and functionally, this is a totally new lens, completely surpasses the old lens...

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.

See examples Conclusions: The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM is a compact, very fast-focusing zoom telephoto lens that provides generally excellent imaging function including excellent image stabilization at a high price. It is a weak performer at 300mm.

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...