Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Lens

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

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.

The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Lens is an ultra-compact and very well built telephoto zoom lens with excellent image stabilization and fast, quiet AF . I was immediately impressed by the solid build quality of the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Lens.

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.

A compact telephoto zoom lens covering the popular 70-300mm range, which has a diffractive optical element, Image Stabiliser and Ultrasonic focus motor.

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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

The EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM is Canon's second lens with three-layer type Diffractive Optics (DO). It can be used with both 'APS-C' (where it covers angles of view equivalent to 112mm to 480mm) and 35mm-sized image sensors.

I got this lens used for just about the same price I would have paid for kit lens. I would not spend anything near what Canon is asking for it, but it is a good lens. If you are going to spend over $1300 for a lens, I believe you may be better served buying a 70-200mm IS L lens in either f2.8 or f4.

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  Small size that allows you to be ignored by the public. Good image quality and great usability.

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  Price. Lens creep when not locked at 70mm and pointed down.

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.

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

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

I have used this Lens for over a month and on two different cameras, 5D and the 350D. On the 5D it is a splendid lens without any real problems. Its compact size, fast focus and IS make it an ideal travel/general purpose/telephoto lens.

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  Well made, Fast focus (see above), Compact and discrete, pleasure to use on the 5D, IS works well on the 5D

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  Disappointment on the 350D (see above), Over priced when compared to the non DO lens., Doesn't work well with a UV filter

I wanted this lens because I was able to get it for a great price in min condition, but after shooting with it for a week, I am totally sold. I use this and a 17-40mm L lens as my primary lenses on a 7d Mark II and I am very happy.

I bought this lens because of the compact size. Unfortunately, the image quality of the lens was not what I would expect from a Canon product. I get clearer images from my kit lens.