The picture below illustrates the lens's angle of view on full frame and APS-C DSLRs (taken from our standard vantage point):

Superb optical quality, Fast, silent, and accurate autofocus; full time manual focus, Highly effective image stabilization (for longer subject distances, at least, Solid build, including dust and water sealing

Hybrid Image Stabilization still not particularly effective at macro distances; Precise manual focus at 'portrait' distances slightly tricky; Very expensive compared to non-stabilized alternatives

Canon's EF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM lens is the first to incorporate a new Hybrid IS system, which corrects for both rotational and linear camera shake. The new technology builds on the company's widely-employed Image Stabilizer, and is said to be particularly effective for subjects shot at close...

Lens expert Gary Wolstenholme takes a look at Canon's EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens. This 100mm lens from Canon costs around ￡779 and provides life-size magnification at its closest focus, image stabilisation, weather-sealed construction and an ultrasonic focusing motor.

Build Quality; USM focusing; New Image Stabilisation system; High resolution; Useful Focus limiter switch

Supplied lens hood is a little deep for use at close distances; Focus breathing can make composition tricky

The Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro L IS is a swell lens. It weighs less than you'd first expect, which is a good thing. it is ideal for use as a general-purpose telephoto, especially if you need close-focus ability.

The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens is an extremely fun lens to use. It combines excellent image quality with a useful focal length, a relatively small/light body, fast/quiet AF with 1:1 (1x) macro capabilities - and HIS (Hybrid Image Stabilization).

Canon's first macro lens with image stabilisation. Here we see whether it's one 'L' of a lens.

Build Quality; USM focusing; New Image Stabilisation system; High resolution; Useful Focus limiter switch

Supplied lens hood is a little deep for use at close distances; Focus breathing can make composition tricky

It's one of the most versatile lenses I own. It's very good at macro and tele distances and the stabiliser works very well. The all-plastic construction doesn't feel very solid and the focus ring have a (very!) little play. It's not weather-sealed until you attach a filter.

Very effective IS; Very fast AF for a macro lens

Subpar build quality for a L lens

Back in July 2009, Canon announced a new ‘hybrid' image stabilisation system designed for macro photography. Able to compensate for both the standard angular movement and the small shifts in the angle at which the lens is pointed during hand-held shooting.

Canon's L-series lenses are designed to the highest professional standards and have a reputation for optical quality. Not surprisingly, this means they're more expensive, and at a whisker over £1000 this Canon 100mm macro lens costs £400 more than the standard non-L-series 100mm macro and £650 more...

The amount of detail this lens picks up is absolutely amazing. And, if the 1:1 sensor is this good on the 100mm 2.8, I cannot fathom what the 65mm 5x macro lens can do. It's also great for portraits, producing beautiful creamy skin tones with nice background blur.