The Canon EF 75-300mm Ultrasonic USM is an affordable, compact, and lightweight telephoto zoom lens for Canon EF-mount DSLRs. Its “Ultrasonic” designation refers to the fast and quiet Micro USM autofocus motor, making it suitable for sports, wildlife, and portraits.

Key features include a 4x zoom, Super Spectra coatings to reduce flare, and a useful telephoto range that compresses perspective and blurs backgrounds.

Features and benefits

Telephoto zoom: The lens offers a versatile 75-300mm range, ideal for subjects at a distance like sports and wildlife.

Fast and quiet autofocus: The integrated Micro USM (Ultrasonic Motor) provides quick, near-silent autofocus, which is beneficial for both stills and video.

Lightweight design: It is one of the smallest and lightest telephoto zoom lenses in its class, making it easy to carry and handle.

Super Spectra coatings: These coatings on the lens elements minimize ghosting and flare, resulting in high contrast and accurate colors.

Background blur: At the 300mm end, the shallow depth of field can effectively blur the background, helping subjects stand out, especially in portraiture.

Compatibility: It is designed for Canon EF-mount DSLRs and provides an equivalent focal length of 120-480mm on APS-C sensor cameras.

What “Ultrasonic USM” means

USM: Stands for Ultrasonic Motor, a type of motor that uses ultrasonic vibrations to drive the lens’s focus.

Benefits: This motor is significantly faster and quieter than older, non-USM motors, leading to a better user experience.

For whom it is suitable

Beginners and hobbyists looking for an affordable way to start telephoto photography.

Those who need a lightweight and versatile lens for a variety of subjects like sports, wildlife, and portraits.

Photographers on a budget who want to expand their reach without a high-cost telephoto lens.