Canon EF 200-600mm f/4.5-5.6 IS lens set for 2016 release

Canon will reportedly launch an EF 200-600mm f/4.5-5.6 IS super-telephoto zoom lens without an L-designation by the end of this year.

Sports photographers using Canon’s EOS-series DSLRs will be able to get their hands on a new super-telephoto zoom lens in 2016. A highly-reliable insider is reporting that the company is working on such product and that it is coming this year.

It seems like the product in question consists of a Canon EF 200-600mm f/4.5-5.6 IS lens. The optic will not be L-designated, which means that the image quality and construction will not be among the highest.

Canon EF 200-600mm f/4.5-5.6 IS lens rumored to be released in 2016

Super-telephoto zoom lenses are often expensive, making action and sports photography out of reach for most users. However, there are some affordable solutions out there and it seems like one more is on its way.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS II USM is the latest telephoto zoom lens released by Canon. It was launched in 2014 and now, in 2016, it is time for another model with a longer focal length.

EOS DSLR owners will allegedly get a Canon EF 200-600mm f/4.5-5.6 IS lens in 2016. It will be designed to cover full-frame sensors, but it will be compatible with APS-C-sized cameras, albeit it will offer a 35mm equivalent of about 300-900mm.

The maximum aperture of the optic is not the fastest, but the good thing is that a built-in image stabilization technology will sit at users’ disposal. Such system is necessary because even the tiniest camera shakes can result in blurry photos at extreme focal lengths, especially when current cameras have more megapixels than they used to a few years back.

Upcoming super telephoto-zoom lens poised to compete against similar Sigma and Tamron optics

As the optic does not bear L-designation, it is likely that the product will be cheaper than some of the company’s super-telephoto offerings, even though their focal lengths are shorter. For example, it is expected that the Canon EF 200-600mm f/4.5-5.6 IS lens will be priced lower than the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS II USM, which costs about $2,100.

The image quality will not be as great as the one of its existing sibling, as stated above. Nevertheless, this does not mean that it will be bad, as the company is capable of making really good lower-end optics.

It is unlikely that the product will be weathersealed, but it will be lightweight considering its focal range. The lens will probably compete against some similar optics released by both Sigma and Tamron, so Canon has had to make some compromises in order to make sure that its optic will be competitive.

With Photokina 2016 approaching, there may be a chance for the lens to show up at this event. Either way, keep an eye on Camyx!