The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM is a flagship L-series telephoto zoom lens engineered for Canon full-frame EOS DSLRs and APS-C bodies alike, delivering a versatile 100-400mm range (160-640mm equivalent on crop sensors). Its premium optical construction — featuring one Fluorite element, one Super UD element, and an Air Sphere Coating — suppresses chromatic aberrations, flare, and ghosting to produce images with exceptional sharpness, contrast, and color fidelity across the entire zoom range.
Built for demanding sports, wildlife, and outdoor photographers, this Canon telephoto zoom pairs a powerful 4-stop Optical Image Stabilizer with a lightning-fast ring-type USM autofocus system for sharp, decisive handheld shooting in any light. A weather-sealed, fluorine-coated barrel, a customizable zoom torque ring, and a detachable rotatable tripod collar round out a design that performs as impressively in the field as it does in the studio.
Key features
- Superior Optical Clarity: One Fluorite and one Super UD element effectively correct chromatic aberrations throughout the zoom range, ensuring outstanding sharpness, color accuracy, and contrast in every shot.
- 4-Stop Optical Image Stabilization: Three selectable IS modes — Standard, Panning, and During Exposure Only — minimize camera shake by up to four stops, enabling sharp handheld images even at long focal lengths or in low-light conditions.
- Fast, Silent USM Autofocus: A ring-type Ultrasonic Motor paired with optimized algorithms and a high-speed CPU delivers rapid, precise, and near-silent AF with full-time manual focus override for creative control.
- Reduced Flare & Ghosting: Air Sphere Coating (ASC) applied to lens elements maintains high light transmission and contrast when shooting in strong backlit conditions.
- Professional Weather-Sealed Build: A dust- and moisture-resistant barrel combined with fluorine coatings on front and rear elements protects against the elements and repels fingerprints and smudges during extended outdoor use.
- Refined Handling & Control: A rotation-type zoom ring with adjustable torque tension, a detachable/rotatable tripod collar (removable without unmounting the lens), a rounded 9-blade diaphragm for beautiful bokeh, and the included ET-83D lens hood with filter-access window all contribute to an intuitive, professional shooting experience.
Specifications
| Mount | Canon EF (Full-Frame & APS-C compatible) |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 100-400mm (160-640mm equivalent on APS-C) |
| Maximum Aperture | f/4.5-5.6 |
| Aperture Range | f/4.5 to f/38 |
| Image Stabilization | Optical IS, up to 4 stops; 3 modes (Standard, Panning, During Exposure Only) |
| Autofocus System | Ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) with full-time manual focus override |
| Special Elements | 1 Fluorite element, 1 Super UD element; Air Sphere Coating (ASC) |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 (rounded) |
| Weather Sealing | Weather-resistant barrel with fluorine coating on front and rear elements |
| Tripod Collar | Detachable and rotatable without removing lens from camera |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM compatible with APS-C Canon cameras?
Yes. The lens uses the Canon EF mount, making it fully compatible with both full-frame and APS-C EOS DSLRs. On an APS-C body, the crop factor provides an equivalent focal length range of approximately 160-640mm, extending its reach even further for wildlife and sports photography.
How effective is the image stabilization on this lens, and what modes are available?
The built-in Optical Image Stabilizer compensates for camera shake by up to four shutter speed stops. It offers three dedicated IS modes: Standard (for general shooting), Panning (for tracking moving subjects horizontally), and During Exposure Only (which activates stabilization only at the moment of capture to conserve battery and reduce viewfinder shake).
Is this lens weather-sealed, and how is it protected against dust and moisture?
Yes. The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM features a weather-resistant barrel designed to protect against dust and moisture in inclement shooting conditions. Additionally, fluorine coatings applied to both the front and rear elements repel fingerprints, water droplets, and smudges, helping to maintain image quality and ease of cleaning in the field.
