Canon EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM Lens
The Canon 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM is a 100–300mm f/4.5 lens designed for Canon EF mount cameras. Used copies start from $94.23 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Canon EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM Lens
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Lens Overview — Canon 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM
Key Features — Canon 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM
100-300mm Telephoto Zoom: Covers a versatile telephoto range suited to wildlife, sports, and distant subject photography.
Canon EF Mount: Compatible with the full range of Canon full-frame and APS-C DSLR bodies using the EF mount.
Full-Frame Coverage: Designed for full-frame sensors with no vignetting, and delivers a longer effective reach on APS-C bodies.
USM Autofocus Motor: Canon's Ultrasonic Motor provides fast, quiet autofocus with near-silent operation during shooting.
Auto and Manual Focus: Full-time manual focus override allows precise adjustments without switching out of autofocus mode.
f/4.5-5.6 Variable Aperture: Practical maximum aperture range for outdoor and well-lit environments across the full zoom range.
Lens Specifications — Canon 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Wildlife, Sports, Travel |
| Lens Type | Zoom |
| Format | Full Frame |
| Zoom/Prime | Zoom |
| Focal Length | 100–300mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/4.5 |
| Camera System | DSLR |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Focus Type | Auto, Manual |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Filter Thread | 58mm |
Description — Canon 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM
The Canon EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM is a full-frame compatible telephoto zoom lens designed for Canon DSLR cameras. Covering a focal length range of 100mm to 300mm, it provides a versatile reach for subjects at distance. The variable maximum aperture of f/4.5 at 100mm and f/5.6 at 300mm delivers workable exposure flexibility across the zoom range.
Both autofocus and manual focus modes are supported, catering to a range of shooting styles and subjects. The lens mounts via the Canon EF system, ensuring broad compatibility across Canon's DSLR lineup. At 540g, it is a relatively lightweight option for its focal length class, reducing fatigue during longer shoots.
A 58mm filter thread makes it simple to attach commonly available filters. Note that this lens has no image stabilization, a consideration for handheld shooting at the longer end of its zoom range.
Pros — Canon 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM
- ✓Covers a useful 100-300mm telephoto zoom range (minFocalLength: 100, maxFocalLength: 300)
- ✓Full-frame compatible lens design (lensFormat: Full Frame)
- ✓Supports both autofocus and manual focus operation (focusType: Auto, Manual)
Cons — Canon 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM
- ✗No image stabilization, which can be a challenge at 300mm (imageStabilization: None)
- ✗Variable maximum aperture of f/4.5-5.6 limits light-gathering at longer focal lengths (maximumAperture: 4.5)
- ✗Designed for DSLR cameras only; not natively compatible with mirrorless bodies without an adapter (cameraSystem: DSLR)
Videos — Canon 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM
Canon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IS USM 'DO' lens review with samples (Full-frame and APS-C) — Christopher Frost







