Photo: Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Quick answer
The Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM is a super telephoto prime lens covering 800mm at f/5.6 for the Canon EF mount. Its smaller maximum aperture favours daylight shooting and keeps the lens compact.
About this lens
A 800mm f/5.6 telephoto prime lens, the Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM is designed for Canon EF mount bodies, from the Canon L series with Image Stabilizer and ultrasonic-motor autofocus. It brings distant subjects closer for sports, wildlife and events.
Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM specifications
- Brand
- Canon
- Mount
- Canon EF
- Focal length
- 800mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/5.6
- Lens type
- Prime
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 2008
- Optical construction
- 18 elements in 14 groups
- Aperture blades
- 8
- Image stabilization
- Yes
- Autofocus motor
- USM
- Minimum focus distance
- 6 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.14x
- Weight
- 4500 g
- Length
- 461 mm
- Diameter
- 163 mm
Specification source: global.canon
What can you shoot with the Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM?
At 800mm this is a super telephoto prime, which typically suits:
- Wildlife and birds
- Motorsport and field sports
- Distant subjects and the moon
Its smaller maximum aperture favours daylight shooting and keeps the lens compact.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 800mm | 2.6° | 3.1° |
| APS-C | 1.6x | 1280mm | 1.6° | 1.9° |
Frequently asked questions
What mount does the Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM use?
It uses the Canon EF mount, so it fits Canon EF cameras directly.
What is the focal length of the Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM?
It is a fixed 800mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/5.6. That makes it a super telephoto lens.
Is the Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM a prime or a zoom lens?
It is a prime lens with a fixed 800mm focal length. Primes usually open wider than zooms; this one opens to f/5.6.
What is the Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM equivalent on a crop sensor?
On APS-C (1.6x crop) it frames like 1280mm on full frame, with a 1.6° horizontal and 1.9° diagonal field of view. These figures are calculated from the focal length and crop factor.
Which cameras does the Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM fit?
Any Canon EF-mount camera, including Canon EOS 1D X, Canon EOS 5D, Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EOS 5D Mark III, and Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and 7 more.
Alternatives for Canon EF from other brands
All Canon EF lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
