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Canon RF 100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM vs Canon RF 100–500mm F4.5–7.1L IS USM

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

CanonRF 100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USMCanonRF 100–500mm F4.5–7.1L IS USM
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2021August 2020
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length100–400 mm100–500 mm
Maximum aperturef/5.6–8f/4.5–7.1
Minimum aperturef/32–45f/32–51
Optical construction12 elements in nine groups20 elements in 14 groups
Special elementsOne UD element and one PMo aspherical elementSix UD elements and one Super UD element
CoatingsSuper Spectra; no fluorine coating, per UK maker tableASC anti-reflection coating, fluorine coating and heat-shield barrel paint
Aperture detail–Maximum f/4.5 at 100 mm to f/7.1 at 500 mm; minimum f/32 at 100 mm to f/51 at 500 mm. Digital Camera World's f/54 table entry is inconsistent with maker specifications and is not used
DiaphragmNine bladesNine blades with circular aperture
Angle of view–Full-frame horizontal 20°–4°, vertical 14°–2°45′ and diagonal 24°–5°
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon RFCanon RF
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityCanon RF mount, full-frame image circle; incompatible with EF DSLRs and EOS M camerasCanon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle. Distinct from EF100–400mm F4.5–5.6L IS II USM and RF100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM
Teleconverter supportRF1.4× gives 140–560 mm f/8–11 and maximum 0.58×; RF2× gives 200–800 mm f/11–16 and maximum 0.83×. Maker confirms autofocus and IS, with reduced AF coverage on listed EOS R bodies; extenders usable throughout the zoom rangeRF1.4× and RF2× compatible only with lens set to 300–500 mm; maker RF2× FAQ requires extension beyond 300 mm before attachment and restricts subsequent zoom operation to 300–500 mm
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.88 m0.9 m
Maximum magnification0.41×0.33×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailNano USM autofocus and electronic manual focusDual Nano USM autofocus with electronically controlled floating focus; full-time manual focus. Digital Camera World's initial EOS R action test preceded the firmware improvements it identifies, and its EOS R5 tracking test was substantially better
Focus distance detailMaker minimum focus 1.2 m at 100 mm, 0.88 m at 200 mm, 0.95 m at 300 mm and 1.05 m at 400 mm. Main value is the closest published distance at 200 mm; Cameralabs’ approximate constant-distance observation does not replace the maker’s per-focal-length tableMaker minimum focus distance 0.9 m at 100 mm; Photography Blog reports 1.2 m at 500 mm. AF/MF mode distinction unpublished and omitted
Magnification detail0.09× at 100 mm, 0.24× at 200 mm, 0.34× at 300 mm and 0.41× at 400 mm; no unpublished AF/MF distinction inferredMaker maximum magnification 0.33× at 500 mm; no unpublished AF/MF distinction inferred
Stabilisation detailOptical IS rated 5.5 stops at 400 mm on EOS R under CIPA, yaw/pitch; coordinated EOS R5 body/lens IS rated six stops under the same maker conditions. Cameralabs measured approximately five stops at 100 mm and three at 400 mm with EOS R6, a different test conditionLens optical IS rated five stops with EOS R at 500 mm under CIPA; coordinated EOS R5 body and lens IS rated six stops with required firmware, separately from lens-only rating
Video featuresCameralabs found little focus breathing and mostly maintained focus while zooming in its tests; these are reviewer observations rather than maker parfocal certification–
Design
Dust and moisture resistantNoYes
Filter diameter67 mm77 mm
Maximum diameter79.5 mm93.8 mm
Length164.7 mm207.6 mm
Weight635 g1,370 g
ControlsSeparate zoom, electronic manual focus and custom control rings; AF/MF and IS switches; zoom lockZoom and focus rings, customisable control ring, adjustable zoom torque, AF/MF switch, Full or 3 m–infinity focus limiter and IS on/off/mode switches
Zoom designExtending zoom barrel; main maker length measured retractedExtending zoom barrel; dimensions measured retracted
Filter detail–77 mm front filter thread
Weather resistanceUK maker specification explicitly states no dust/moisture resistanceDust and moisture resistant construction requires attachment to a camera; does not completely prevent dust or water ingress and is not waterproof
Dimensions detailApproximately 79.5 mm maximum diameter × 164.7 mm length when retractedApproximately 93.8 mm maximum diameter × 207.6 mm length, retracted
Weight detailApproximately 635 g lensMaker Japan gives 1,370 g excluding tripod collar, which weighs approximately 160 g. Photography Blog and Digital Camera World list 1,530 g with collar; UK store's unexplained 2,250 g conflicts with the complete maker table and is not used
Tripod mount–Removable rotating tripod collar, approximately 160 g; shown attached in the maker press photograph
Lens hoodET-74B, optional accessoryET-83F (WIII)
In the box–UK maker store lists lens, ET-83F (WIII) hood, E-77 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and LZ1328 case
Release detailOctober 2021 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum, matching Canon Canada’s original October availability. No exact worldwide first-sale day inferred; no direct replacement of brighter EF or RF L-series zooms assumedCanon Japan's updated original announcement gives first sale 27 August 2020, consistent with Camera Museum marketed August. Region-specific retail day; exact UK first sale not inferred. Co-sold telephoto zooms are alternatives, with no inferred successor link

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