Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM § 03 Head to head
Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM vs Sigma C 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM
Canon 100–300mm f/4.5-5.6 has a brighter maximum aperture. Sigma 100–400mm f/5-6.3 has a longer reach.
Both lenses are made for the Canon EF mount: the Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM is a 100–300mm f/4.5-5.6 zoom, and the Sigma C 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM is a 100–400mm f/5-6.3 zoom. On paper the Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 4, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM 
Sigma C 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM 01
Key differences
Why is the Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM better than the Sigma C 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM?
- Brighter maximum aperture (f/4.5-5.6 vs f/5-6.3)
- 620 g lighter (540 g vs 1160 g)
- 61 mm shorter (121.5 mm vs 182.3 mm long)
- Focuses 10 cm closer (1.5 m vs 1.6 m)
- Smaller filter thread (58 mm vs 67 mm)
Why is the Sigma C 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM better than the Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM?
- Longer reach (400mm vs 300mm)
- Has optical image stabilization
- More aperture blades (9 vs 8)
- Newer design (2017 vs 1990)
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Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM has the edge: its f/4.5-5.6 aperture gathers more light than f/5-6.3.
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Specification
| Specification | Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM | Sigma C 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 100–300mm | 100–400mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4.5-5.6 ◆ | f/5-6.3 |
| Minimum aperture | f/40 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Zoom lens | Zoom lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 540 g (19.05 oz) ◆ | 1160 g (40.92 oz) |
| Dimensions | 73 x 121.5 mm | 86.4 x 182.3 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 1.5 m (59.06 inches) ◆ | 1.60 m (62.99 inches) |
| Image stabilization | No | Yes ◆ |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 8 | 9 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 13 elements / 10 groups | 21 elements / 15 groups |
| Filter size | 58 mm ◆ | 67 mm |
| Lens mount | Canon EF | Canon EF, Nikon F, Sigma SA |
| Released | 1990 | 2017 |
| Price | — | $799 launch price |
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Size
- A · Canon
- B · Sigma
- 121.5 × 73 mm
- 182.3 × 86.4 mm
The Sigma C 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM is 61 mm longer and 620 g heavier 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
Sigma C 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM or the Sigma C 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM?
- The Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM opens to f/4.5-5.6, against f/5-6.3 on the Sigma C 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM.
- Which is lighter, the Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM or the Sigma C 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM?
- The Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM weighs 540 g, 620 g less than the Sigma C 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM (1160 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM or the Sigma C 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM?
- The Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM focuses down to 1.5 m, against 1.6 m for the Sigma C 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM.
- Do the Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM and the Sigma C 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM have image stabilization?
- Only the Sigma C 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM has optical image stabilization.
- Is the Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM or the Sigma C 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM has the edge: its f/4.5-5.6 aperture gathers more light than f/5-6.3.
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