Canon L-series EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
Integrating one fluorite and one Super UD element with Air Sphere Coating, this lens delivers sharp, high-contrast images with minimal aberrations, supported by a 4-stop Image Stabilizer for handheld clarity. A rotating zoom ring with adjustable torque and comprehensive weather sealing with a fluorine coating set it apart for reliable, precise control in tough conditions. It’s best for wildlife and sports photographers who need a rugged, stabilized telephoto zoom for tracking fast-moving subjects from a distance.
Огляд
The 30-Second Version
The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM scores in the 98th percentile for optical quality, making it one of the sharpest telephoto zooms we've ever tested. Autofocus is nearly as impressive at the 94th percentile, and the 4-stop stabilization makes handheld shooting at 400mm genuinely practical. Just don't expect much from the f/4.5-5.6 aperture or the bokeh, both of which rank dead last in our database.
Pros & Cons
Переваги
- 98th percentile optical quality, one of the sharpest telephoto zooms we've tested 98th
- 94th percentile autofocus with ring-type USM, fast and accurate even for birds in flight 93rd
- 4-stop image stabilization with 3 modes, handheld shooting at 400mm is actually practical 93rd
- Weather-sealed L-series build with fluorite and Super UD elements 88th
- 0.31x magnification at 980mm close focus, surprisingly useful for near-macro wildlife shots
Недоліки
- Aperture range of f/4.5-5.6 ranks dead last in our database, no good for low light
- Bokeh quality at the 1st percentile, backgrounds get busy and harsh
- Build quality score sits at just the 16th percentile despite the solid feel
- Heavy at 1640g, your arms will notice after a full day of shooting
- Price has crept up over time, and some owners report sharpness inconsistencies between copies
Думка власників
The Word on the Street
Як змінювалася думка власників із часом
ЕксклюзивНа основі того, коли покупці справді писали відгуки, - щоб побачити, чи виправдалися перші похвали.
- Q1 202688/100
Buyers praise the lens for sharpness, fast autofocus, and image stabilization, especially for birding. A few note grey market concerns and mixed value opinions.
- Excellent image quality, sharpness, and color reproduction across many reviews.
- Fast and quiet autofocus, effective image stabilization for handheld use.
- Some buyers mention grey market packaging without USA warranty card.
- One reviewer notes image quality not much better than cheaper EF-S 55-250.
- Q3 202567/100
Buyers praise the lens for sharpness, fast focus, and build quality, but note its weight and one review's rating contradicts positive text.
- Sharp image quality and fast autofocus performance, even with extender.
- Excellent build quality, described as 'built like a tank' and top tier.
- Heavy weight noted as a drawback, but acceptable for handheld use.
- One verified review gave 0 stars despite positive text, suggesting possible rating error.
- Q2 202567/100
Buyers praised the lens for its sharpness, ease of use, and fast image quality, though two zero-star ratings suggest possible confusion or errors.
- Lens is sharp and produces high-quality images.
- Easy to use, even for non-professionals.
- Fast autofocus and image capture.
- Two zero-star ratings despite positive text, indicating potential rating errors.
- Q1 202495/100
Buyers praise the lens for excellent build quality, sharp images, fast autofocus, and versatile close-focus capability. It is considered a rugged, high-performance telephoto for wildlife and general use.
- Excellent build quality with rugged metal body and smooth zoom ring.
- Razor sharp, high contrast images at all focal lengths.
- Fast autofocus and effective image stabilization for moving subjects.
- Exceptional close focus distance (3 ft) enables macro-like and portrait shots.
- Q3 2022100/100
Buyers praised this lens as a versatile walk-around option with high contrast, resolution, and tolerable weight, plus effective telephoto and close-up capabilities.
- Versatile walk-around lens covering wide to telephoto with high contrast and resolution.
- Effective telephoto reach for capturing distant subjects clearly and larger.
- Good close-up performance, not just telephoto; useful for grab shots.
- Fast-moving subject tracking with reliable autofocus lock in most instances.
- Q2 2022100/100
Buyers praised the lens for sharpness, fast focus, and great value, noting significant price increases post-pandemic.
- Excellent image sharpness and fast autofocus performance.
- Great value and satisfaction with purchase price and deals.
- Lens is a favorite go-to piece of equipment for wildlife.
- Price has increased dramatically post-pandemic, but buyers are glad they bought early.
- Q4 2021100/100
Buyers praise this lens as the best in its range for sharpness and speed, ideal for sports and wildlife photography.
- Superior sharpness and speed compared to competitors like Sigma and Tamron.
- Excellent for sports, action, and wildlife photography.
- High image quality allows cropping without loss.
- Worth the cost; users do not regret the purchase.
- Q3 2021100/100
Buyers praised the lens for wildlife photography, sharpness, and fast shipping, but noted autofocus incompatibility with extenders.
- Great for bird and wildlife photography.
- Sharp image quality.
- Fast shipping and good seller experience.
- Autofocus not usable with an extender.
- Q2 2021100/100
Buyers praise the lens as sharp, fast, and ideal for wildlife photography. Some note the tripod collar has a fragile plastic part.
- Exceptional sharpness and image quality throughout the zoom range.
- Fast autofocus and effective image stabilization for wildlife.
- Heavy lens; tripod or monopod recommended for extended use.
- Tripod collar has a plastic piece that can break, though lens function unaffected.
- Q1 202191/100
Buyers praised the lens for its sharpness, fast focus, and image quality, with minor complaints about weight and tripod foot issues.
- Exceptional sharpness and image quality, especially at 400mm.
- Fast and precise autofocus, great for motion and wildlife shots.
- Weight is a common concern but expected for this type of lens.
- Tripod foot issues noted by one user, though otherwise an upgrade.
- Q4 202092/100
Buyers praise this lens for outstanding sharpness, reach, and versatility in wildlife and bird photography. A few note it is heavy and expensive, with one reporting a less sharp copy.
- Exceptional sharpness and image quality, often described as 'tack sharp' or 'wicked sharp'.
- Excellent reach and versatility, especially with teleconverters and on APS-C cameras.
- Heavy and large, but most find it manageable for the performance.
- One copy was not sharp, leading to a trade; some find it overpriced.
- Q3 2020100/100
Buyers praised the lens for its sharpness, fast autofocus, and smooth zoom, ideal for wildlife photography.
- Image quality is crisp and clean.
- Autofocus is fast and reliable.
- Stabilizer settings are effective.
- Zoom movement is smooth.
- Q2 202086/100
Buyers praise the lens for sharpness, fast autofocus, and versatility for sports and wildlife. One reviewer notes a recent price increase reduces value.
- Sharp glass and fast autofocus at all focal lengths.
- Excellent for sports, wildlife, and bird photography.
- Image stabilization allows handheld use in good light.
- Price increase of $400 within a week reduces value.
- Q1 202094/100
Buyers praise the lens for sharpness, fast autofocus, and excellent image quality, especially for wildlife. Some note the weight and one warns against use with Sony mirrorless.
- Sharpness and image quality are outstanding, even with a teleconverter.
- Autofocus is fast and reliable, especially on Canon DSLRs like the 7D Mark II.
- Lens is heavy; some find it tiring for handheld use, but others adapt.
- Not recommended for Sony mirrorless cameras due to poor adapter performance.
- Q4 201989/100
Buyers praised the lens for its sharpness, fast autofocus, and image stabilization, ideal for wildlife and travel. A few noted quality control issues and dust ingress.
- Exceptional sharpness and image quality, often compared to L-series lenses.
- Fast and accurate autofocus, effective image stabilization for handheld shots.
- Some copies had softness at 400mm, but exchange resolved it; quality control varies.
- Zoom mechanism can absorb sand/dust on beaches, difficult to clean.
На основі 110 датованих відгуків покупців, згрупованих за календарними кварталами. Аналіз за періодами - англійською.
Факти
Performance
Let's talk sharpness first, because that's where this lens earns its keep. The optical score puts it at the 98th percentile, and that's backed up by the glass inside: 21 elements in 16 groups, including one fluorite element and one Super UD element. Those aren't marketing buzzwords. Fluorite is expensive and Canon only puts it in their best L-series glass. The result is edge-to-edge clarity that holds up across the entire 100-400mm range. Owners mention sharpness more than any other trait, with around 45 positive mentions in our sentiment data. That's not a coincidence.
Autofocus is another standout. The ring-type USM motor scores at the 94th percentile, and in practice it's fast enough to track birds in flight without breaking a sweat. The internal focusing design means the front element doesn't rotate, which is great if you use polarizing filters. Image stabilization is rated for 4 stops, and it delivers. The 3-mode IS system lets you switch between standard, panning, and exposure-only stabilization, which is genuinely useful for sports shooters. The close focus distance of 980mm gives you a 0.31x magnification, which isn't macro territory but it's enough to fill the frame with a songbird from a few feet away. The macro score of 33rd percentile reflects that limitation, but for a telephoto zoom, it's more than respectable.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 100 |
| Focal Length Max | 400 |
| Elements | 21 |
| Groups | 16 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4 |
| ED Elements | 1 |
| Coating | Air Sphere Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/100 |
| Min Aperture | 4.5-5.6 |
| Constant | No |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Canon EF |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 1.6 kg / 3.6 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 77 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | USM |
| Stabilization | Yes |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 980 |
| Max Magnification | 0.31x |
vs Competition
The obvious comparison is the Sigma and Tamron 150-600mm lenses, which owners mention frequently. Those lenses give you more reach, but the Canon beats them on image quality according to multiple user reports. The trade-off is clear: do you want 600mm of mediocre sharpness or 400mm of exceptional sharpness? For most wildlife shooters, 400mm on a full-frame body with the ability to crop is plenty, especially when the pixels you're cropping are this clean. The Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 is lighter and more versatile as a walkaround lens, but it can't touch the Canon's optical performance. The Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 is a completely different beast, an APS-C standard zoom, so it's not really a competitor. If you're on a budget, the Viltrox AF 13mm F1.4 is a great wide-angle prime, but again, different tool entirely. The Canon's real competition is the older version of itself, the original 100-400mm L IS, which is cheaper but noticeably softer and slower to focus.
| Spec | Canon L-series EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM | Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 100-400mm | 18-50mm | 17-70mm | 12-35mm | 17-28mm | 18-135mm |
| Max Aperture | f/100 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Canon EF | Sony E | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Nikon Z | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | false | true | true | false | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 1640 | 290 | 544 | 306 | 450 | 326 |
| AF Type | USM | stepping motor | RXD | Autofocus | Stepping Motor | Linear motor |
| Lens Type | telephoto | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Товар | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Відгуки користувачів | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon L-series EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM | 93.4 | 0.9 | 16.1 | 32.2 | 97.7 | 0.6 | 80.4 | 88.2 | 85.5 | 92.7 |
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 85.5 | 84.4 | 85.4 | 91.5 | 81.2 | 86.3 | 80.4 | 78.6 | 89.9 | 36.1 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Compare | 53.8 | 89 | 67.3 | 85.5 | 90.3 | 86.3 | 63.6 | 89.6 | 85.5 | 81.3 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 53.8 | 84.4 | 84.6 | 50 | 85.7 | 86.3 | 90.9 | 80.6 | 85.5 | 96.6 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 85.5 | 89 | 74.2 | 85.5 | 87.5 | 86.3 | 90.9 | 67.9 | 67.5 | 36.1 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 97.7 | 78.5 | 71.5 | 39.2 | 77.6 | 80.2 | 44.9 | 95.9 | 89.9 | 81.3 |
Ціна
Value & Pricing
Here's where things get interesting. The USD price spread across 15 listings runs from $755 to $2,699, which is a massive $1,944 gap. That's not a typo. The low end likely reflects used or international versions without warranty, while the high end is probably bundles with filters and accessories. If you're patient and willing to buy used or grey market, you can get this lens for a fraction of the new price. The budget score of 71.3 out of 100 reflects that the value proposition depends heavily on where you buy. At $755, this lens is an absolute steal. At $2,699, you're paying a premium for peace of mind and a warranty. The international version listings on Newegg are worth a look if you're comfortable skipping the warranty, but know that Canon won't service grey market lenses in most regions.
Amazon 1 пропозиція Від 1 882 GBP
Price History
Докладніше
Overview
The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM sits at the 98th percentile for optical quality in our database, which basically means it's one of the sharpest telephoto zooms we've ever tested. Pair that with a 94th percentile autofocus score and you've got a lens that nails focus fast and renders detail like it's showing off. The 4-stop image stabilization lands at the 93rd percentile, so handheld shooting at 400mm is genuinely doable, not just a spec sheet fantasy. Owners agree too, with a 4.6 out of 5 rating across 1,087 reviews and a sentiment score of 88 out of 100. That's not hype, that's a lot of happy wildlife shooters.
But here's the thing. This lens has some real weak spots hiding behind those impressive numbers. The aperture range of f/4.5-5.6 puts it dead last in our database, and the bokeh score is at the 1st percentile. If you're dreaming of creamy backgrounds, this isn't your lens. The build quality score is also surprisingly low at the 16th percentile, which feels odd given how solid the thing feels in hand. More on that later. For now, know this: as a tool for getting sharp, distant subjects onto your sensor, it's exceptional. As a general-purpose lens, it's got compromises.
Common Questions
Q: Is this lens sharp enough for wildlife photography?
Yes, it's one of the sharpest telephoto zooms we've tested, ranking in the 98th percentile for optical quality. The fluorite and Super UD elements reduce aberrations across the entire 100-400mm range, and owners mention sharpness more than any other trait in our sentiment data.
Q: How well does the image stabilization work for handheld shooting?
The 4-stop image stabilization ranks in the 93rd percentile, which means you can realistically shoot handheld at 400mm in decent light. The 3-mode IS system lets you switch between standard, panning, and exposure-only modes, which is especially useful for sports and wildlife.
Q: Can I use this lens with a teleconverter?
Yes, it works with Canon extenders, though some owners report autofocus limitations with the 2x extender on certain camera bodies. The 1.4x extender is generally the safer bet if you want to maintain reliable autofocus performance.
Who Should Skip This
If you shoot portraits, events, or anything in low light, this lens will frustrate you. The f/4.5-5.6 aperture range ranks dead last in our database, and the bokeh score sits at the 1st percentile. That means busy, harsh backgrounds and a constant battle for light. The 1640g weight is also a real consideration for travel or all-day handheld shooting. And if you're adapting this to a Sony mirrorless body, owners report it's not ideal, so look elsewhere. The build quality score of 16th percentile is puzzling given the weather sealing and L-series construction, but it suggests that in our broader database of lenses, this one doesn't stand out for durability. If you need a general-purpose zoom that can do a bit of everything, this isn't it. This is a specialist's tool, and it punishes you when you use it outside its comfort zone.
Verdict
The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM is a specialist's lens that happens to be excellent at its specialty. The 98th percentile optical score and 94th percentile autofocus make it one of the best wildlife and sports lenses you can buy for the EF mount. The 4.6-star rating from over a thousand owners backs that up. But the dead-last aperture and bokeh scores mean this is not a portrait lens, not a low-light lens, and not a general-purpose zoom. It's a tool for getting sharp images of distant, moving subjects in decent light. If that's your job or your passion, this lens delivers. If you're looking for something more flexible, you'll be fighting its limitations every time you point it at anything other than a bird or a football player.
