Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM Lens
The Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM is a 70–300mm f/4 lens designed for Canon EF mount cameras. Used copies start from $362.64 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.

Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM Lens
Used Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM Listings on GearFocus
Lens Overview — Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM
Key Features — Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM
70-300mm Telephoto Zoom: Covers a versatile telephoto range suited to wildlife, sports, travel, and portrait photography from a single lens.
Canon EF Mount: Compatible with the full range of Canon EF-mount DSLRs, including both full-frame and APS-C bodies.
Image Stabilizer II: Second-generation IS system provides up to 4 stops of shake compensation for sharper handheld shots at longer focal lengths.
Nano USM Autofocus: Ultrasonic motor delivers fast, quiet autofocus with full-time manual focus override without switching modes.
f/4-5.6 Variable Aperture: Opens to f/4 at the wide end for usable light gathering across the zoom range in bright to mixed conditions.
Full-Frame Coverage: Image circle designed for full-frame sensors, delivering edge-to-edge sharpness on Canon's highest-resolution DSLR bodies.
Lens Specifications — Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Wildlife, Sports, Travel, Portrait |
| Lens Type | Zoom |
| Format | Full Frame |
| Zoom/Prime | Zoom |
| Focal Length | 70–300mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/4 |
| Camera System | DSLR |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Focus Type | Auto, Manual |
| Image Stabilization | Optical |
| Filter Thread | 67mm |
Description — Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM
The Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM is a full-frame telephoto zoom lens designed for the Canon EF mount, ensuring broad compatibility across Canon's DSLR lineup. Its focal length range spans 70mm to 300mm, with a maximum aperture of f/4 at the wide end and f/5.6 at the telephoto end. Built-in optical image stabilization helps photographers maintain sharp images when shooting handheld across this range.
The lens offers both autofocus and manual focus modes, providing flexibility for different shooting situations and subjects. A 67mm filter thread makes it straightforward to attach widely available filters without additional adapter rings. At a weight of 710g, it strikes a balance between portability and the extended reach that a 300mm zoom delivers.
Whether used on a full-frame or APS-C Canon DSLR body with an EF mount, this lens delivers a versatile telephoto zoom option for photographers who need reach in a relatively compact and lightweight package.
Pros — Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM
- ✓Wide focal length range of 70–300mm covers a broad spectrum of telephoto shooting opportunities
- ✓Optical image stabilization helps reduce blur from camera shake when shooting handheld
- ✓Full-frame compatible via Canon EF mount, suitable for Canon's range of EF-mount DSLR bodies
Cons — Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM
- ✗Variable maximum aperture of f/4–5.6 means less light transmission at the longer focal lengths
- ✗At 710g, the lens may still feel front-heavy on smaller or lighter DSLR bodies during extended use
- ✗Canon EF mount only — not compatible with mirrorless bodies without a separate mount adapter
Videos — Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM
Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens review with samples (full frame & APS-C) — Christopher Frost








