Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM vs Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Side-by-side comparison from our catalogue data. Better values are highlighted only where a clear difference exists.
Verdict at a glance
- Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM is faster by 0.6 stops (f/4.5 vs f/5.6), letting in more light.
- Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM is lighter by 735g.
- Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM reaches further (500mm vs 400mm).
- Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM is the newer design (2021 vs 2020).
| Spec | RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM | RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Canon | Canon |
| Mount | Canon RF | Canon RF |
| Type | Telephoto Zoom | Telephoto Zoom |
| Focal length | 100-400mm | 100-500mm |
| Max aperture | f/5.6 | f/4.5 (faster) |
| Released | 2021 | 2020 |
| Blades | 9 | 9 |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Groups | 9 | 14 |
| Af motor | USM | USM |
| Elements | 12 | 20 |
| Weight g | 635.0 (lighter) | 1370.0 |
| Filter mm | 67 | 77 |
| Length mm | 164.7 | 207.6 |
| Stabilized | Yes | Yes |
| Diameter mm | 79.5 | 93.8 |
| Min focus m | 0.88 | 0.9 |
| Max magnification | 0.41 | 0.33 |
Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM
A telephoto zoom for Canon RF full-frame cameras with image stabilization and a light build for its range.
Pros
- Light (635 g)
- Image stabilization
- Long range
- Compact
Cons
- Slow aperture
- Not an L-series build
- Less sharp than L lenses
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
A long telephoto zoom for Canon RF full-frame cameras with stabilization and weather sealing. Popular for wildlife and sports.
Pros
- Long 500mm reach
- Image stabilization
- Weather-sealed L build
- Compatible with RF extenders
Cons
- Slow at the long end (f/7.1)
- Heavy to handhold (1.37 kg)
- Large