DxO tests Canon 100-400L Mark II

Feb 15, 2015
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DxO tests Canon 100-400 Mark II, results shown for test on 5D Mark III. 15 P-Mpix on their sharpness measure makes it a bit sharper than the original 100-400L with 13 P-Mpix, but no where close to the 70-200 2.8 IS Mark II which gets 21 P-Mpix. The new version of the 100-400 is a bit better on all the other measures especially CA.
 

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I take DXO ratings with with less than a grain of salt. ::)

That said, the difference in ratings between the 100-400 II and 70-200 II are larger than I would have expected given the user feedback on the new lens. Anybody own both and can comment on "real life" IQ differences?
 
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I have both and they are both fantastic lenses. None of them will be the limiting factor in your shooting. I´m sure any thorough test will give the peak performance awards to the 70-200, which it deserves. But the flexibility award goes to the 100-400. The main difference is f2.8 vs. f4.5-5.6 and I believe that should be the decisive factor. In addition to the improved low light capability, the f2.8 also gives you full use of the AF capability of the camera.

DxO seems to favour fast lenses. I don´t understand how they calculate their final scores (I wonder if they do themselves ...), but I have seen a number of comparisons where the slower lens lose, despite being the better lens.
 
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fotophun said:
DxO tests Canon 100-400 Mark II, results shown for test on 5D Mark III. 15 P-Mpix on their sharpness measure makes it a bit sharper than the original 100-400L with 13 P-Mpix, but no where close to the 70-200 2.8 IS Mark II which gets 21 P-Mpix. The new version of the 100-400 is a bit better on all the other measures especially CA.


Interesting... I do net get the review on the DXO-Site...
 
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OP, I can't find that review on DxO website, can you provide a link?

Knowing how DxO scores lenses, the 100-400L Mark II will lose several points simply because it is an f5.6 lens, not f2.8. In DxO scoring, the higher the t-stop value the "better" the lens -- that's their position. Doesn't really make sense to me. If I buy a f4 or f5.6 lens I don't expect it to pass as much light as a f1.4 or f2.8 lens and I don't consider it deficient or defective in anyway when it doesn't. But DxO marks it down significantly because of that aspect of its fundamental design.
 
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The link is: http://www.dxomark.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-100-400mm-F4.5-5.6L-IS-II-USM-review-Worthy-upgrade/Measurements-Competitive-performer

It's rated only marginally below the 400mm f/4 DO II
 
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