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Canon RF 100–300mm F2.8L IS USM vs Canon RF 85mm F1.4L VCM

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

CanonRF 100–300mm F2.8L IS USMCanonRF 85mm F1.4L VCM
Overview
ReleasedMay 2023September 2025
Optics
Lens typeZoomPrime
Focal length100–300 mm85 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/1.4
Minimum aperturef/22f/16
Optical constructionTwenty-three elements in eighteen groups14 elements in 10 groups
Special elementsOne fluorite, four UD and one glass-moulded aspherical elementOne UD and one glass-moulded aspherical element
CoatingsSuper Spectra, ASC and fluorine coatingsASC and Super Spectra; fluorine coating on the front element
Aperture detailConstant maximum f/2.8; minimum f/22f/1.4–16 with stepless iris ring; no click-stop option (Amateur Photographer)
DiaphragmNine blades11 circular aperture blades
Angle of viewFull-frame diagonal 24°–8°15′; horizontal 20°–6°50′; vertical 14°–4°35′24° horizontal, 16° vertical and 28°30′ diagonal on full frame
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon RFCanon RF
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityCanon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R camerasCanon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle; stills iris-ring support is body/firmware dependent
Teleconverter supportRF 1.4× gives 140–420 mm f/4; RF 2× gives 200–600 mm f/5.6Canon RF extenders not compatible
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance1.8 m0.75 m
Maximum magnification0.16×0.12×
Optical stabilisationYesNo
Autofocus detailTwo Nano USM motors independently drive the electronic floating-focus groups; full-time electronic manual focusVoice Coil Motor autofocus; electronic manual focus; maker notes movement/noise in unpowered internal VCM components is normal
Focus distance detail1.8 m minimum focus throughout the zoom range; limiter selects full range or 6 m–infinity–
Magnification detail0.06× at 100 mm and 0.16× at 300 mm–
Stabilisation detailCanon rates lens optical IS at 5.5 stops under CIPA conditions, and coordinated IS at up to 6 stops with EOS R5 and compatible bodiesNo lens optical IS; maker separately lists camera IBIS CIPA-2024 performance of eight stops at the centre and seven at the corners under its camera/test conditions
Video features–Optically suppressed focus breathing and stepless iris control; UK maker footnote excludes stills iris-ring operation on EOS R/RP/Ra/R3/R5/R6/R6 Mark II/R7/R8/R10/R50/R100/R5 C even with current firmware
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesYes
Filter diameter112 mm67 mm
Maximum diameter128 mm76.5 mm
Length323.4 mm99.3 mm
Weight2,590 g636 g
ControlsSeparate focus, zoom and clicking control rings; front lens-function buttons and focus-preset controlsCustomisable control ring, focus ring, iris ring with Auto-position lock, function button and AF/MF switch (Amateur Photographer)
Zoom designInternal zoom maintains barrel length–
Filter detail112 mm front screw-in thread; no rear drop-in filter67 mm front screw-in filter thread; compatible Canon 67 mm Protect and PL-C B circular polarising filters
Weather resistanceDust- and moisture-resistant construction with heat-blocking white paintDust and moisture resistant with mount gasket; Canon states protection requires attachment to a camera and cannot prevent all dust or water ingress; no waterproof/IP rating inferred
Dimensions detail128 mm maximum diameter × 323.4 mm lengthApproximately 76.5 mm maximum diameter × 99.3 mm length
Weight detailApproximately 2,590 g, as listed by Canon UK, Canon Japan and Canon Camera MuseumApproximately 636 g lens
Tripod mountRotating tripod collar with support foot–
Lens hoodET-124 includedET-73C; maker lists E-67 II cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and LP1219 pouch as accessories
In the boxLens, E-112 front cap, RF dust cap, ET-124 hood, LS100-300 soft case and user manual–
Release detailMay 2023 first release confirmed by Canon's June 2023 retrospective announcement and Camera MuseumCanon Japan specifies first sale on 27 September 2025; no UK first-sale day inferred

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