The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM is a very compact telezoom for full-frame Canon SLRs, but its image quality is lacking.

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  Compact. Optically stabilized. Full-frame coverage.

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  Pricey. Not that sharp. Lots of distortion when zoomed.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM is a pretty unique lens in sense that it is one of the only two Canon lenses that incorporate diffractive optics. When the lens was first released in 2004 (following the release of Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM), Canon was believed to quickly follow up with...

Gary Wolstenholme takes a close look at the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM lens before using it to take a close look at everything else.

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  Good resolution, Excellent build quality, Compact size, Low distortion

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  Price, Zoom creep, Less contrast when shooting into the light

Is the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Lens right for you? Learn all you need to know in The-Digital-Picture.com's review!

One of only two lenses that contains both refractive and diffractive glass elements, this image-stabilized tele zoom is dramatically more compact -- and expensive ($1,143, street) -- than its refractive-only Canon ($549, street) or Nikon ($479, street) counterparts.

As a long-term user of a Canon 75-300 IS USM lens I hoped that Canon would bring out an L-series version of this lens with better optical quality, especially at the 300mm end. When Canon introduced the 100-400 IS lens I bought one to get higher quality images of wildlife at long focal lengths but...

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.

Built like and L lens with similar price, many ask what is it for? It is small yet heavy and not the fastest at f4.5. Yet, it offers high quality optics for normal light conditions, fits in a small bag and is versatile for everyday use. That versatility is why you would buy this lens.

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  Compact, Durable, Nice Bokeh, Rugged, Strong Construction, Zoom Range

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  Bokeh In Low Light, Heavy

The lens takes good usable prints about 90% of the time. The L series lenses are clearer but barely. A professional photographer I was read said that the photographer takes the picture, more expensive gear won't make the pics any better!

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  Price, it is black NOT white, clarity.

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  Front of lens moves during focus.

I really wanted to love this lens - small form factor, cool diffractive optics tech, and decent IS - but in the end the image quality just wasn't there. Sharpness and contrast on the long end of the range was routinely disappointing on my 7D.

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  Super-sharp images

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  Semi-sharp images

Maybe it was my mistake but I had high expectations on this lens. I had the opportunity of taking the EF 400 F4 DO IS on a couple of air shows. The Diffractive Lens technology works great on this lens but its not the same with the 70-300.

I have used on moving animals in Africa - tremendous sharpness and focus. Cheetah running at full speed - stopped in the air - can see eyelash when blown up. I found about 280mm nothing is lost in the corners- just outstanding sharpness and great fast focus.

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  Consistent Output, Durable, Easily Interchangeable, Lightweight, Sharp Focus