Compare lenses

Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x vs Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II

The Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x and the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II side by side, computed from this guide's catalogue.

Which to pick

Pick the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x if you want coverage of full frame, so it suits the larger-sensor bodies too and a fit on more cameras (22 against 14 in this guide). Pick the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II if you want a wider view (from 82mm equivalent) and a design for APS-C, which usually means smaller and lighter.

Still torn? Ask the guide about the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x and the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II

Specs side by side

Rows that differ are in full colour; the better value is marked where one is better by any measure.
Spec	Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x	Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
Maker	Canon	Canon
Focal length	200-400mm (zoom)	55-250mm (zoom)
Full-frame equivalent	200-400mm	82-375mm on APS-C
Maximum aperture	f/4	f/4-5.6
Made for	Full frame	APS-C
Mounts	Canon EF	Canon EF
Stabilised	yes	yes
Autofocus	yes	yes
Zoom range	2.0×	4.5×more range
Cameras it fits	22 in this guidefits more cameras	14 in this guide

Focal range, in full-frame terms

Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x: 200-400mm.

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II: 55-250mm on APS-C, like 82-375mm.

Aperture

Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x: f/4 wide open.

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II: f/4 wide open.

Each opening drawn to scale against f/1.4: a smaller f-number lets in more light and blurs the background more.

Field of view

How wide each sees, at each end, on the sensor it was made for.

Cameras they fit

14 cameras in this guide take both, so either works on the same body. In all, the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x fits 22 and the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II 14.