If you're picking a telephoto zoom for a Canon EOS DSLR, the real choice often comes down to reach versus everyday handling. The 420-800mm f/8.3 Super Telephoto Zoom lists at $55.63 and brings manual focus, an aluminum body, and a 67mm filter thread. The open-box Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lists at $255.00 and offers autofocus, image stabilization, full-frame compatibility, and a 58mm filter thread. Your subject and shooting style-not the price alone-will point you to the right one.
Quick verdict
Pick the 420-800mm if you shoot distant, slow-moving subjects from a fixed position and you're comfortable with manual focus and a tripod or monopod. Pick the Canon EF 70-300mm IS if you want autofocus, image stabilization, and a more flexible zoom range for handheld photography, and you're open to buying an open-box lens.
Listed price and specs at a glance
| Product | Listed price | Price bar | Focus | Filter thread |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 420-800mm f/8.3 Super Telephoto Zoom | USD 55.63 | Manual | 67 mm | |
| Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM | USD 255.00 | Auto & Manual | 58 mm |
Where each product wins
- The 420-800mm wins on reach and price. It offers a much longer focal length range and a lower listed price. Its 67mm filter thread is larger than the Canon's 58mm, which may matter if you already own 67mm filters.
- The Canon EF 70-300mm wins on versatility and autofocus. With autofocus plus manual focus and image stabilization, it's better suited to handheld shooting and moving subjects. The 70-300mm range is more practical for general telephoto work.
Product notes
420-800mm f/8.3 Super Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon EOS DSLR Camera 5D3 800D 70D
This lens gives you serious reach for a very low listed price. At $55.63, the 420-800mm manual zoom is a way to get extreme telephoto coverage without a large investment. The aluminum barrel and 67mm filter thread suggest a solid, straightforward build. Manual focus means you control sharpness yourself, so it suits careful, patient shooting of subjects that aren't moving quickly. The f/8.3 aperture indicates you'll need good light or a tripod or monopod for consistent results. If your main subject is the moon, wildlife at a distance, or a stage, this lens puts a long focal length in your hands. The trade-off is that it's manual focus only, so fast action and handheld low-light shots will be harder.
Open Box) Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens
The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM is listed at $255.00 in open-box condition. It brings autofocus, image stabilization, and manual focus in a compact full-frame-compatible barrel. The 58mm filter thread is common, so matching filters is easy. For everyday telephoto shooting-portraits, travel, landscapes, or sports from a distance-the 70-300mm range is more flexible than the extreme 420-800mm reach, and the IS system can help you steady handheld shots. The open-box status is the key thing to weigh here: the lens has been handled before, so the condition will be what it is when it arrives. If you want a do-everything Canon telephoto zoom with autofocus and stabilization, this is the stronger candidate.
Final choice by use case
- For long-distance subjects on a tripod: choose the 420-800mm f/8.3 manual zoom. Its longer reach and lower listed price make it the straightforward pick when autofocus isn't essential.
- For handheld, everyday telephoto shooting: choose the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM. Autofocus, image stabilization, and a practical zoom range make it the more versatile open-box option.
