Canon EF 70–200mm f/4L USM vs Canon RF 70–200mm F4 L IS USM
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonEF 70–200mm f/4L USM | CanonRF 70–200mm F4 L IS USM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | September 1999 | March 2021 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Zoom |
| Focal length | 70–200 mm | 70–200 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 | f/4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 | f/32 |
| Optical construction | 16 elements in 13 groups | Sixteen elements in eleven groups |
| Special elements | One fluorite and two UD elements | Four UD elements; Air Sphere and fluorine coatings |
| Diaphragm | Eight blades | Nine blades |
| Angle of view | Diagonal 34°–12°; vertical 19°30′–7°; horizontal 29°–10° | – |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Canon EF | Canon RF |
| Image circle | Full frame | Full frame |
| Compatibility | Canon EF mount full-frame and APS-C cameras | Canon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R bodies; RF extenders not compatible |
| Teleconverter support | Compatible with Canon EF1.4X and EF2X extenders; The Digital Picture notes EF1.4X II gives 98–280 mm f/5.6 and EF2X II gives 140–400 mm f/8, with camera-dependent autofocus at f/8 | – |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 1.2 m | 0.6 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.21× | 0.28× |
| Optical stabilisation | No | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | Ring-type USM with mechanical full-time manual focus override | Dual Nano USM drives focus and floating lens groups independently; electronic floating focus system |
| Focus distance detail | Internal focusing; front does not rotate (The Digital Picture); maximum 0.21× magnification at 200 mm | Minimum focus 0.6 m throughout the zoom range |
| Magnification detail | – | Maximum 0.28× at 200 mm |
| Stabilisation detail | – | Optical IS rated five stops with EOS R at 200 mm under CIPA, yaw/pitch; coordinated IS rated 7.5 stops with EOS R5 at 200 mm under CIPA, yaw/pitch |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | No | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | 77 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 76 mm | 83.5 mm |
| Length | 172 mm | 119 mm |
| Weight | 705 g | 695 g (better) |
| Controls | AF/MF switch and focus limiter, with full 1.2 m–infinity range or 3 m–infinity (ePHOTOzine) | Zoom, electronic manual-focus and customisable control rings; focus limiter with full or 2.5 m–infinity range; AF/MF, IS on/off and three IS mode switches; zoom lock at 70 mm |
| Zoom design | Internal zooming maintains physical length (ePHOTOzine and The Digital Picture) | Extending barrel; 119 mm length at 70 mm; 176 mm extended at 200 mm (Cameralabs) |
| Weather resistance | Not weather sealed according to The Digital Picture | Dust and water resistant construction; Canon states this cannot completely prevent dust or droplets entering |
| Dimensions detail | 76 mm maximum diameter × 172 mm length | Approximately 83.5 mm maximum diameter × 119 mm length, retracted |
| Weight detail | 705 g according to Canon's UK specifications and Camera Museum | Approximately 695 g lens |
| Tripod mount | Optional Ring Tripod Mount A (W) at launch; The Digital Picture also identifies compatible A II (W) | No tripod collar mount (Cameralabs) |
| Lens hood | ET-74 | ET-83G (WIII) hood included |
| In the box | Lens hood and case according to Canon Camera Museum; tripod collar sold separately | Lens, E-77 II front cap, RF dust cap, ET-83G (WIII) hood, LP1319 case and user manual kit |
| Release detail | Marketed in September 1999 according to Canon Camera Museum | March 2021 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum and Canon's global annual lens-release list |
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