Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM vs Samyang 500mm f/6.3 Mirror
Side-by-side comparison from our catalogue data. Better values are highlighted only where a clear difference exists.
Verdict at a glance
- Samyang 500mm f/6.3 Mirror is faster by 12.6 stops (f/6.3 vs f/500.0), letting in more light.
| Spec | EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM | 500mm f/6.3 Mirror |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Canon | Samyang |
| Mount | Canon EF | Canon EF |
| Type | Prime | Mirror |
| Focal length | 500mm | 500mm |
| Max aperture | f/500.0 | f/6.3 (faster) |
| Released | 2012 | n/a |
| Blades | 9 | n/a |
| Format | full-frame | n/a |
| Groups | 12 | n/a |
| Af motor | USM | n/a |
| Elements | 16 | n/a |
| Weight g | 3190.0 | n/a |
| Length mm | 383.0 | n/a |
| Stabilized | Yes | n/a |
| Diameter mm | 146.0 | n/a |
| Min focus m | 3.7 | n/a |
| Max magnification | 0.15 | n/a |
Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM
The EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM is a professional 500mm f/4 telephoto with image stabilization and a lightweight magnesium body. Used in wildlife and sports photography.
Pros
- f/4 aperture at 500mm
- Stabilized
- Lighter than the first IS version
- Extender compatible
Cons
- Heavy to handhold (about 3.2 kg)
- Large
- Needs a support
Samyang 500mm f/6.3 Mirror
The Samyang 500mm f/6.3 Mirror is a mirror telephoto lens covering 500mm at f/6.3 for Canon EF mount cameras. Its catadioptric design keeps a long focal length compact and light.