· slr camera lenses · 14 min read
Best Canon 100-400mm Lenses (2024): Comprehensive Reviews and Comparisons
Discover the top-rated Canon 100-400mm lenses in 2024. Our expert reviews provide valuable insights and comparisons to help you make an informed decision.
In the world of photography, Canon's 100-400mm lenses have earned a reputation for their exceptional performance and versatility. Whether you're capturing wildlife, sports, or distant landscapes, these lenses offer a remarkable range and impressive image quality. In this article, we'll delve into the details of the best Canon 100-400mm lenses available in 2024, providing comprehensive reviews and comparisons to guide your purchase decision.
Overview
PROS
- Impressive 100-400mm focal length for versatile wildlife, sports, and travel photography
- Compact and lightweight design for enhanced portability and ease of use
CONS
- Limited constant maximum aperture of f/5.6-8 may require higher ISO settings in low light situations
- No weather sealing may limit use in inclement weather conditions
The Canon RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Black is a versatile telephoto lens designed to bring distant subjects closer and capture stunning images. With its impressive 100-400mm focal length, it's an ideal choice for wildlife photography, sports, and travel enthusiasts. The lens features a compact and lightweight design, ensuring easy handling and portability during extended shooting sessions.
The optical construction comprises 17 elements in 12 groups, including one Super UD lens and two UD lenses, to effectively compensate for chromatic aberrations and deliver sharp and color-accurate images throughout the zoom range. The lens employs a Nano USM motor, providing fast, smooth, and near-silent autofocus, which is crucial for capturing moving subjects.
PROS
- Magnificent versatility with 100-400mm focal length
- Designed for outdoor adventures with its weather-resistant build
- Stunning image stabilization for sharp shots in any situation
CONS
- Considerable size and weight may require a tripod for extended use
- Price falls on the premium side
With a remarkable 100-400mm focal length, the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens empowers you to capture majestic wildlife, distant landscapes, and fast-paced sporting events with impressive clarity and precision. It boasts a rugged construction for various terrains, allowing you to venture into nature with confidence.
The outstanding image stabilization technology in this lens ensures your shots remain steady, even in challenging lighting conditions or when using slower shutter speeds. Whether you're a professional photographer who requires the ultimate versatility or an enthusiast seeking to elevate your photography to the next level, the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens is an unbeatable choice.
PROS
- Excellent image quality throughout the zoom range, with sharp details and vibrant colors
- Fast and accurate autofocus system, ideal for wildlife and sports photography
- Weather-resistant construction, allowing you to shoot in challenging conditions
- Image Stabilization technology, reducing camera shake and enabling handheld shooting
CONS
- Heavy and bulky, not suitable for extended handheld use
- Somewhat expensive compared to similar lenses in its class
- Maximum aperture of f/4.5-5.6, which may limit its use in low-light conditions
The EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens is a versatile and powerful telephoto zoom lens, perfect for capturing distant subjects with stunning clarity. Its impressive zoom range allows you to switch between wide-angle and telephoto perspectives effortlessly, making it an excellent choice for wildlife, sports, and nature photography. The lens is equipped with Canon's renowned L-series optics, delivering exceptional image quality with sharp details, vibrant colors, and minimal distortion.
One of the standout features of this lens is its fast and accurate autofocus system. Utilizing Canon's Ultrasonic Motor (USM) technology, the autofocus locks onto subjects swiftly and precisely, ensuring you capture every fleeting moment. Additionally, the lens features Image Stabilization technology, which compensates for camera shake, enabling you to shoot handheld even at longer focal lengths. This is especially beneficial for wildlife photographers who often need to capture subjects from a distance.
PROS
- Outstanding optical performance with sharp images throughout the zoom range
- Image stabilization system provides up to 5 stops of shake correction
- Durable and weather-resistant construction for use in various conditions
- Fast and accurate autofocus system for capturing decisive shots
- Ideal for wildlife, sports, and nature photography
CONS
- Heavy and bulky, making it challenging to carry for extended periods
- May not provide the fastest aperture for low-light photography
- More expensive compared to similar lenses in its class
The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM is a top-notch telephoto zoom lens designed specifically for Canon's SLR cameras. This lens is a true workhorse for wildlife, sports, and nature photographers who demand exceptional image quality, versatility, and performance. With its impressive 100-400mm focal length range and constant maximum aperture of f/4.5-5.6, the Canon EF 100-400mm gives you the flexibility to capture distant subjects with remarkable clarity and detail. One of the standout features of this lens is its exceptional image stabilization system, which provides up to 5 stops of shake correction, allowing you to shoot handheld or at slower shutter speeds without worrying about camera shake or blurry images.
In addition to its superb optics and image stabilization, the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM boasts a rugged and weather-resistant construction. Whether you're faced with rain, dust, or extreme temperatures, this lens is built to withstand the elements, giving you peace of mind in challenging shooting conditions. Furthermore, the lens features a fast and accurate autofocus system, driven by a ring-type USM motor, that locks on to subjects swiftly and precisely, ensuring you capture the perfect shot at the decisive moment. With its exceptional performance, coupled with its versatility and durability, the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Telephoto Zoom Lens is an invaluable tool for photographers who demand professional-level results and unwavering reliability in the field.
PROS
- Versatile range from 100mm wide-angle to 400mm telephoto
- Nano USM motor ensures fast and silent autofocus
- Image stabilizer compensates for camera shake, enhancing image sharpness
- Durable and weather-resistant design
CONS
- Maximum aperture of f/5.6-8 may limit low-light performance
- Large and heavy for its size
The Canon RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Lens is a versatile lens perfect for capturing distant subjects. Its 100mm-400mm focal length range makes it ideal for nature and wildlife photography, sports, and travel. The lens features a Nano USM motor for fast and silent autofocus, ensuring you never miss a shot. The image stabilizer effectively compensates for camera shake, resulting in sharp images even at slower shutter speeds.
Despite its impressive features, the Canon RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Lens has a few drawbacks. Its maximum aperture of f/5.6-8 may limit its use in low-light conditions. Additionally, the lens is notable for its size and weight, making it less suitable for long handheld shooting sessions. Overall, the Canon RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Lens is a highly capable lens for capturing distant subjects. Its versatility, fast autofocus, and effective image stabilization make it an excellent choice for professional photographers and enthusiasts alike.
PROS
- Full-frame compatibility for versatile use with Canon DSLRs
- Impressive 100-400mm zoom range for a variety of shooting scenarios
- Sharp image quality with minimal distortion throughout the zoom range
CONS
- Relatively heavy, making it less suitable for handheld photography
- Pricey investment, especially for photographers on a budget
The Canon EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6L USM is an exceptional telephoto zoom lens that empowers photographers to capture distant subjects with remarkable clarity. Its 100-400mm range allows for versatile use, from portraiture to wildlife photography. The L-series construction ensures durability and professional performance.
One notable aspect is the lens's consistent image quality across the zoom range. Whether you're shooting at 100mm or 400mm, you'll enjoy sharp images with minimal chromatic aberration and distortion. The autofocus is swift and precise, making it ideal for capturing moving subjects.
PROS
- Exceptional image quality with sharp optics and minimal distortion
- Versatile telephoto zoom range for capturing distant subjects
- Optical image stabilization provides up to 4 stops of shake reduction
- Durable build with weather sealing for use in challenging conditions
- Fast and accurate autofocus system for capturing fast-moving subjects
CONS
- Pricey investment
- Relatively heavy and bulky compared to other lenses in its class
The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens is a versatile and high-performance telephoto zoom lens designed for wildlife, sports, and travel photography. It boasts an impressive focal length range, exceptional image quality, and a robust build, making it an ideal choice for photographers who need the reach and performance to capture distant subjects with clarity and precision.
One of the standout features of this lens is its optical image stabilization (IS) system, which provides up to 4 stops of shake reduction. This allows photographers to shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds, reducing the risk of camera shake and producing sharper images. The lens also features a fast and accurate autofocus system, which is essential for capturing fast-moving subjects such as wildlife or athletes.
PROS
- Versatile 100-400mm zoom range suitable for various scenarios, including wildlife, sports, nature, and travel.
- Compact and lightweight build makes handling easy, without sacrificing sharpness or image quality.
CONS
- Maximum aperture limits low-light performance and may require additional lighting support.
- Lack of weather-sealing may limit usage in challenging weather conditions.
The Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 is USM Lens is specifically designed to meet the demands of wildlife, sports, nature, and travel photography. With its impressive 100-400mm range, this lens provides photographers with the flexibility to capture distant subjects, while its compact size and light weight make it ideal for carrying around on adventures.
One of the standout features of this lens is its optical performance. The combination of precision optics and advanced image stabilization technology delivers exceptional sharpness and clarity throughout the zoom range. The minimum focusing distance of 3.1 feet allows you to capture close-up shots with ease, while the 9-blade aperture contributes to beautiful background blur and bokeh effects.
However, it's important to note that the maximum aperture of f/5.6-8 limits its low-light capabilities, and additional lighting support may be needed for shooting in low-light conditions. Additionally, while the lens is designed for basic weather resistance, it may be best suited for use in less harsh weather conditions to ensure its longevity.
PROS
- Delivers sharp and detailed images throughout the zoom range.
- Offers a versatile focal length, ideal for various shooting scenarios.
CONS
- Relatively slow maximum aperture limits low-light performance.
- Autofocus can be sluggish in certain lighting conditions.
The Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens is a versatile and affordable option for Canon SLR users seeking to extend their reach. Sporting a wide focal length range, this lens excels in capturing distant subjects, making it perfect for wildlife photography, sports, and event coverage. Its sharp optics ensure crisp images with excellent color reproduction.
Despite its strengths, the lens exhibits some limitations. Its relatively slow maximum aperture hinders its capabilities in low-light environments, and the autofocus system can occasionally be sluggish. Additionally, the lens's build quality, while sturdy, may feel a bit plasticky to some users.
Overall, the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens offers a great balance between performance and value. It's an excellent choice for amateur photographers or enthusiasts looking to enhance their telephoto capabilities without breaking the bank.
PROS
- Impressive reach with 100-400mm focal length for versatile photography
- Sharp optics and Image Stabilization for excellent image quality
- Durable construction and weather sealing for reliability in various conditions
- Included filter kit for enhanced image control and protection
CONS
- Relatively heavy and may require a tripod for extended use
- Maximum aperture could be limiting in low-light conditions
The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens is a versatile and powerful telephoto zoom lens designed for capturing stunning images in various photography genres. Its impressive focal length range makes it perfect for wildlife, sports, and nature photography, providing photographers with the flexibility to frame their subjects from a distance. The lens boasts sharp optics, thanks to its UD and aspherical elements, which effectively minimize chromatic aberration and distortion, ensuring exceptional image clarity and color accuracy. Additionally, its Image Stabilization (IS) system effectively compensates for camera shake, allowing photographers to shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds without compromising sharpness. The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens is constructed to withstand the rigors of outdoor photography, featuring a durable build and weather sealing to protect it from dust and moisture. The included filter kit further enhances the lens's capabilities, providing photographers with options for polarizing and UV protection, giving them greater control over their images and enabling them to adapt to different lighting conditions. Overall, this lens is an excellent choice for photographers seeking a versatile and high-quality telephoto zoom lens for capturing distant subjects with precision and clarity.
Canon's 100-400mm lenses are a valuable asset for photographers seeking a versatile and high-quality telephoto lens. With their impressive range, sharp optics, and autofocus capabilities, these lenses deliver stunning results in various photography genres. Whether you're a professional or an enthusiast, investing in a Canon 100-400mm lens is a wise decision that will elevate your photography to new heights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key features to look for in a Canon 100-400mm lens?
When choosing a Canon 100-400mm lens, consider factors such as its aperture range, image stabilization, autofocus performance, and build quality. These elements contribute to the lens's overall performance and suitability for specific photography styles.
What is the difference between the RF and EF versions of the Canon 100-400mm lens?
The RF version of the Canon 100-400mm lens is designed for Canon's mirrorless RF-mount cameras, while the EF version is compatible with Canon's DSLR cameras. The RF version typically offers advantages such as faster autofocus, improved image stabilization, and a more compact design.
Which Canon 100-400mm lens is best for wildlife photography?
For wildlife photography, the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L is II USM or the Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 is USM are excellent choices due to their impressive reach, fast autofocus, and sharp image quality.
What is the approximate cost of a Canon 100-400mm lens?
The cost of a Canon 100-400mm lens varies depending on the model and features. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from under 1 thousand US dollars and up for a new one.
Are Canon 100-400mm lenses compatible with other camera brands?
Canon 100-400mm lenses are specifically designed to be compatible with Canon cameras. You may encounter compatibility issues if you attempt to use them on cameras from other brands.