A superior performance, ultra-compact telephoto zoom lens with Canon’s Image Stabilization. These Diffractive Optics elements are combined to reduce size and boost image quality. AF is super-fast and silent with a ring-type USM, and it focuses down to 4.6 feet – without rotating the front element. A new zoom lock button keeps the lens safe and secure when not in use or used at the wide angle.

• Professional Quality Zoom Telephoto
• Built-In Image Stabilizer
• For Digital or Film SLR Cameras
• Fast Ring-Type USM Autofocus
• Full-Time Manual Focus Override
• Water and Dust Resistant
• Uses Diffractive Optics
• 1 Aspherical Lens Element
• Circular Aperture Diaphragm
• Accepts 58mm Filters

Read more at Canon USA

Reviews

Canon EF 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM lens test by David Hay – photo.net (Compared to Canon EF 75-300mm IS and Canon EF 100-400mm IS)

PROS

• Short
• Fast focus, good enough for birds in flight
• Excellent stabiliser

CONS

• Too expensive
• Internal light scatter

The main benefit of the DO optics in the 70-300 is the reduction in length (but not weight). A short lens has obvious attractions for candid photography.

L-series photographers will probably not be satisfied with the quality of this lens but creative photographers may have fun exploring the unique visual effects that this lens can produce.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Lens Review by the-digital-picture.com

The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Lens is an ultra-compact and very well built telephoto zoom lens with excellent image stabilization and fast, quiet AF.

The 70-300mm focal length range is a very useful one. People and nature are common subjects for this range. And because of its size, the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Lens is an excellent travel lens – having a lens that is easily carryable will get MUCH nicer shots than a lens left at home because of its size/weight. If this lens’ features are what you need, then give it a try.

Canon EF 70 – 300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM by luminous-landscape.com

This is an appealing lens in many ways. It measures reasonably well, and though the price is a bit high it is appropriate for what you get. The low weight and small size are real plusses. Resolution appears high, but I have to admit that on-screen and in prints I see a certain “softness” to images produced by this lens that doesn’t show up in lab measurements.

If I didn’t already own the superb Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS I’d be very tempted by the new DO, since I’ll take the trade-off of 2 extra stops of aperture for the extra focal length any time. Nevertheless the 70 – 300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS is a very appealing lens indeed.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM DO IS – Review by photozone.de

In principal the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM DO IS is a very interesting lens … in principal. From a performance point of view it delivers all that a consumer has hoped for - high resolution figures in conjunction with low distortions, low vignetting and low chromatic aberrations and all packaged in a quite sturdy, small package with high speed AF. So what is the problem ? Well, it’s the price tag. The optical performance of the new EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 USM IS (non-DO) is simply about as good. Mechanically it isn’t quite in the same league as the DO lens but … hey – it comes at a 50% lower price tag! If we throw in the added values plus a little coolness factor the DO lens may be worth a 200-250 EUR/$ premium over the conventional lens but at 1100 EUR/US$ it is simply way over-priced (also true for the EF 400mm f/4 USM DO IS). So unless Canon reduces the price to something more in line with the (in-house) competition there’re some question marks whether the lens is really worth the extra financial sacrifice.

Links

Canon EF 70 – 300 mm DO IS USM press release (DPReview.com)