Canon EF 75-300mm III USM vs EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM: is the 70-300 worth it?

Asked 11/30/2012

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I'm comparing Canon's EF 75-300mm III USM with the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM. On paper the main differences seem to be image stabilization, diaphragm blade count, and optical construction. Beyond those specs, is the 70-300 actually better in real-world use? Specifically, how do they compare for image quality, autofocus, and hand-held shooting?

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Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

13y ago

2 Answers

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The 75-300 is generally considered to be one of Canon's poorest lenses; the IQ from the 70-300 is significantly superior. See for example The Digital Picture's reviews of the 75-300 ("Image quality from the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM Lens is also mediocre.") versus that of the 70-300.

Originally by user11371. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user11371

13y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Yes — the 70-300mm IS USM is generally considered much better overall, not just the same lens with stabilization added.

From user experience and widely reported impressions, the 75-300mm III is one of Canon’s weaker telezooms: softer images, more chromatic aberration, and mediocre build/handling. The USM version improves focus drive versus the non-USM version, but it doesn’t fix the underlying optical limitations.

The 70-300mm IS USM is regarded as significantly better in image quality, and the image stabilization also makes a real difference for hand-held shooting, especially at longer focal lengths or in lower light. It should also be more practical across a wider range of conditions because of its IS and USM autofocus.

So the price gap is not only for IS. You’re also paying for noticeably better optical performance and a more usable lens overall. If you care about sharpness and hand-held telephoto use, the 70-300 is the better choice.

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13y ago

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