The Promise Of Stabilization

Between image-stabilized lenses, in-camera stabilization and high-ISO technology, the game has changed for photographers seeking the freedom to shoot handheld

By Michael J. McNamara

A Selection Of Lenses With Built-In Stabilizers
	Elem./ Groups	Min. Focus	Max. Magn.	Filter Size	Diam. x Lngth (in.)	Weight	Street Price
FOR 35MM AND DIGITAL SLRS
Canon EF 100mm ƒ/2.8L Macro IS USM	15/12	11.9 in.	1.0X	67mm	3.1x4.8	1.4 lbs.	$1,049
Canon EF 200mm ƒ/2L IS USM	17/12	6.3 ft.	0.12X	52mm	5.0x8.2	5.6 lbs.	$5,799
Canon EF 300mm ƒ/2.8L IS USM	17/13	8.2 ft.	0.13X	52mm	5.0x9.9	1.7 lbs.	$4,879
Canon EF 300mm ƒ/2.8L IS II USM	16/12	6.6 ft.	0.18X	52mm	5.0x9.8	5.2 lbs.	$6,599
Canon EF 300mm ƒ/4L IS USM	15/11	4.9 ft.	0.24X	77mm	3.5x8.7	2.6 lbs.	$1,399
Canon EF 400mm ƒ/2.8L IS USM	17/13	9.8 ft.	0.15X	52mm	6.4x13.7	11.8 lbs.	$7,999
Canon EF 400mm ƒ/2.8L IS II USM	16/12	8.9 ft.	0.17X	52mm	6.4x13.5	8.5 lbs.	$10,499
Canon EF 400mm ƒ/4 DO IS USM	17/13	11.5 ft.	0.12X	52mm	5.0x9.4	4.3 lbs.	$6,399
Canon EF 500mm ƒ/4L IS USM	17/13	14.8 ft.	0.12X	52mm	5.8x15.2	8.5 lbs.	$6,999
Canon EF 500mm ƒ/4L IS II USM	16/12	12.1 ft.	0.15X	52mm	5.7x15.1	7.0 lbs.	$9,499
Canon EF 600mm ƒ/4L IS USM	17/13	18.0 ft.	0.12X	52mm	6.6x18.0	11.8 lbs.	$8,899
Canon EF 600mm ƒ/4L IS II USM	16/12	14.8 ft.	0.15X	52mm	6.6x17.6	8.6 lbs.	$11,999
Canon EF 800mm ƒ/5.6L IS USM	18/14	19.7 ft.	0.14X	52mm	6.4x18.1	9.9 lbs.	$12,499
Canon EF 24-105mm ƒ/4L IS USM	18/13	18 in.	0.23X	77mm	3.3x4.2	1.5 lbs.	$1,099
Canon EF 28-135mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 IS USM	16/12	19.2 in.	0.19X	72mm	3.1x3.8	1.2 lbs.	$450
Canon EF 28-300mm ƒ/3.5-5.6L IS USM	22/16	2.3 ft.	0.3X	77mm	3.6x7.2	3.7 lbs.	$2,649
Canon EF 70-200mm ƒ/2.8L IS II USM	23/19	3.9 ft.	0.21X	77mm	3.5x7.8	3.3 lbs.	$2,499
Canon EF 70-200mm ƒ/4L IS USM	20/15	3.9 ft.	0.21X	67mm	3.0x6.8	1.7 lbs.	$1,329
Canon EF 70-300mm ƒ/4-5.6L IS USM	19/14	3.9 ft.	0.21X	67mm	3.5x5.6	2.3 lbs.	$1,599
Canon EF 70-300mm ƒ/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM	18/12	4.6 ft.	0.19X	58mm	3.2x3.9	1.6 lbs.	$1,329
Canon EF 70-300mm ƒ/4-5.6 IS USM	15/10	4.9 ft.	0.26X	58mm	3.0x5.6	1.4 lbs.	$559
Canon EF 100-400mm ƒ/4.5-5.6L IS USM	17/14	5.9 ft.	0.20X	77mm	3.6x7.4	3.1 lbs.	$1,675
Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm ƒ/2.8G IF-ED	14/12	12 in.	1.0X	62mm	3.3x4.6	1.7 lbs.	$984
Nikon AF-S VR Nikkor 200mm ƒ/2G IF-ED	13/9	6.2 ft.	0.12X	52mm	4.9x8.0	6.4 lbs.	$5,099
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 300mm ƒ/2.8G ED VR II	11/8	7.5 ft.	0.16X	52mm	4.9x10.5	6.4 lbs.	$5,899
Nikon AF-S VR Nikkor 300mm ƒ/2.8G IF-ED	11/8	7.2 ft.	0.16X	52mm	4.9x10.5	6.3 lbs.	$5,499
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 400mm ƒ/2.8G ED VR	14/11	9.5 ft.	0.16X	52mm	6.3x14.5	10.2 lbs.	$9,549
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm ƒ/4G ED VR II	14/11	12.6 ft.	0.14X	52mm	5.5x15.4	8.6 lbs.	$8,579
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 600mm ƒ/4G ED VR	15/12	15.7 ft.	0.14X	52mm	6.5x17.5	11.2 lbs.	$10,299
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm ƒ/4G ED VR	17/12	11.5 in.	0.25X	77mm	3.2x4.9	1.5 lbs.	$1,259
Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm ƒ/3.5-5.6G IF-ED	15/13	19.2 in.	0.21X	72mm	3.0x3.7	1.3 lbs.	$669
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm ƒ/2.8G ED VR II	21/16	4.6 ft.	0.25X	77mm	3.4x8.1	3.4 lbs.	$2,399
Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm ƒ/4.5-5.6G	17/12	4.9 ft.	0.25X	67mm	3.1x5.6	1.6 lbs.	$589
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm ƒ/4G ED VR II	24/17	6.6 ft.	0.27X	52mm	4.9x14.4	7.4 lbs.	$6,999
Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 200-400mm ƒ/4G IF-ED	24/17	6.6 ft.	0.27X	52mm	4.9x14.4	7.2 lbs.	$6,299
Nikon AF VR Zoom-Nikkor 80-400mm ƒ/4.5-5.6D ED	17/11	7.5 ft.	0.42X	77mm	3.6x6.7	2.9 lbs.	$1,849
Sigma 150mm ƒ/2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro	19/13	15 in.	1.0X	72mm	3.1x5.9	2.6 lbs.	$1,099
Sigma 50-500mm ƒ/4-6.3 APO DG OS HSM	22/6	5.9 ft.	0.32X	95mm	4.1x8.6	4.3 lbs.	$1,659
Sigma 70-200mm ƒ/2.8 EX DG OS HSM	22/17	4.6 ft.	0.13X	77mm	3.4x7.8	NA	$1,399
Sigma 70-300mm ƒ/4-5.6 DG OS	18/11	4.9 ft.	0.26X	62mm	3.0x5.0	1.3 lbs.	$359
Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM	23/18	5-8.2 ft.	0.12X	105mm	4.5x11.4	6.5 lbs.	$3,199
Sigma 120-400mm ƒ/4.5-5.6 APO DG OS HSM	21/15	4.9 ft.	0.24X	77mm	3.6x8.0	3.9 lbs.	$999
Sigma 150-500mm ƒ/5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM	21/15	7.2 ft.	0.19X	86mm	3.7x9.9	4.2 lbs.	$1,069
Tamron 28-300mm ƒ/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD	18/13	19.3 in.	0.33X	67mm	3.1x3.9	19.6 oz.	$629
Tamron SP 70-300mm ƒ/4-5.6 Di VC USD XLD	17/12	5.0 ft.	0.25X	62mm	3.2x5.6	27.0 oz.	$449
Sigma OS lenses are available in mounts for Sigma, Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony/Minolta DSLRs, except the 18-200mm, which is available in mounts for Sigma, Canon and Nikon. DC lenses are for APS-C-format cameras only; DG lenses can be used with full-frame and 35mm SLRs, too. Tamron VC lenses are available in mounts for Canon and Nikon DSLRs. Di II lenses are for APS-C-format cameras only; Di lenses can be used with full-frame and 35mm SLRs, too.