Canon EF 100-200 mm f/4.5A § 03 Head to head
Canon EF 100-200 mm f/4.5A vs Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM
Canon 100–200mm f/4.5 has a brighter maximum aperture. Canon 100–300mm f/4.5-5.6 has a longer reach.
Both lenses are made for the Canon EF mount: the Canon EF 100-200 mm f/4.5A is a 100–200mm f/4.5 zoom, and the Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM is a 100–300mm f/4.5-5.6 zoom. On paper the Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Canon EF 100-200 mm f/4.5A 
Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM 01
Key differences
Why is the Canon EF 100-200 mm f/4.5A better than the Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM?
- Brighter maximum aperture (f/4.5 vs f/4.5-5.6)
- 20 g lighter (520 g vs 540 g)
Why is the Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM better than the Canon EF 100-200 mm f/4.5A?
- Longer reach (300mm vs 200mm)
- 9 mm shorter (121.5 mm vs 130.5 mm long)
- Focuses 40 cm closer (1.5 m vs 1.9 m)
- Newer design (1990 vs 1988)
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Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Canon EF 100-200 mm f/4.5A has the edge: its f/4.5 aperture gathers more light than f/4.5-5.6.
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Specification
| Specification | Canon EF 100-200 mm f/4.5A | Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 100–200mm | 100–300mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4.5 ◆ | f/4.5-5.6 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 | f/40 |
| Lens type | Zoom lens | Zoom lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 520 g (18.34 oz) ◆ | 540 g (19.05 oz) |
| Dimensions | 74.4 x 130.5 mm | 73 x 121.5 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 1.9 m (74.80 inches) | 1.5 m (59.06 inches) ◆ |
| Image stabilization | — | No |
| Aperture ring | — | No |
| Aperture blades | 8 | 8 |
| Optical construction | 10 elements in 7 groups | 13 elements / 10 groups |
| Filter size | 58 mm | 58 mm |
| Lens mount | Canon EF | Canon EF |
| Released | 1988 | 1990 |
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Size
- A · Canon
- B · Canon
- 130.5 × 74.4 mm
- 121.5 × 73 mm
The Canon EF 100-200 mm f/4.5A is 9 mm longer and 20 g lighter than the Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM.
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Sample frames
Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Canon EF 100-200 mm f/4.5A or the Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM?
- The Canon EF 100-200 mm f/4.5A opens to f/4.5, against f/4.5-5.6 on the Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM.
- Which is lighter, the Canon EF 100-200 mm f/4.5A or the Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM?
- The Canon EF 100-200 mm f/4.5A weighs 520 g, 20 g less than the Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM (540 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Canon EF 100-200 mm f/4.5A or the Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM?
- The Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM focuses down to 1.5 m, against 1.9 m for the Canon EF 100-200 mm f/4.5A.
- Is the Canon EF 100-200 mm f/4.5A or the Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Canon EF 100-200 mm f/4.5A has the edge: its f/4.5 aperture gathers more light than f/4.5-5.6.
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