Canon RF 100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM vs Canon RF 14mm F1.4L VCM
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonRF 100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM | CanonRF 14mm F1.4L VCM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | October 2021 | February 2026 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Prime |
| Focal length | 100–400 mm | 14 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/5.6–8 | f/1.4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32–45 | f/16 |
| Optical construction | 12 elements in nine groups | 18 elements in 13 groups |
| Special elements | One UD element and one PMo aspherical element | One fluorite, one UD, one BR and three glass-moulded aspherical elements |
| Coatings | Super Spectra; no fluorine coating, per UK maker table | Two ASC coatings, SWC and Super Spectra; fluorine coating on the front element |
| Aperture detail | – | f/1.4–16; iris ring supports stepless aperture control in video, with stills compatibility dependent on camera model |
| Diaphragm | Nine blades | 11 circular aperture blades |
| Angle of view | – | 104° horizontal, 81° vertical and 114° diagonal on full frame |
| Projection | – | Rectilinear ultra-wide design |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Canon RF | Canon RF |
| Image circle | Full frame | Full frame |
| Compatibility | Canon RF mount, full-frame image circle; incompatible with EF DSLRs and EOS M cameras | Canon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle; iris-ring functions depend on the camera and firmware |
| Teleconverter support | RF1.4× 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 range | Canon RF extenders not compatible |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.88 m | 0.24 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.41× | 0.11× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | No |
| Autofocus detail | Nano USM autofocus and electronic manual focus | Voice Coil Motor autofocus; electronic manual focus ring; maker rear-focus design maintains lens length during focusing |
| Focus distance detail | Maker 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 table | – |
| Magnification detail | 0.09× at 100 mm, 0.24× at 200 mm, 0.34× at 300 mm and 0.41× at 400 mm; no unpublished AF/MF distinction inferred | – |
| Stabilisation detail | Optical 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 condition | No lens optical IS; maker lists camera IBIS CIPA-2024 performance of 6.5 stops at the centre and 2.5 at the corners, subject to the compatible camera/test conditions |
| Video features | Cameralabs found little focus breathing and mostly maintained focus while zooming in its tests; these are reviewer observations rather than maker parfocal certification | Stepless iris ring; Canon Japan identifies EOS R1/EOS R5 Mark II stills iris-ring support; the US launch also names EOS R6 Mark III; do not assume the same support on every EOS R body |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | No | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | – |
| Maximum diameter | 79.5 mm | 76.5 mm |
| Length | 164.7 mm | 112 mm |
| Weight | 635 g | 578 g (better) |
| Controls | Separate zoom, electronic manual focus and custom control rings; AF/MF and IS switches; zoom lock | Customisable control ring, electronic focus ring, iris ring with Auto-position lock, AF/MF switch and custom function button (controls confirmed by Digital Camera World) |
| Filter detail | – | No front screw-in filter thread; rear gelatin-filter holder for 36.7 × 29.4 mm filters |
| Zoom design | Extending zoom barrel; main maker length measured retracted | – |
| Weather resistance | UK maker specification explicitly states no dust/moisture resistance | Dust and moisture resistant structure with mount gasket; Canon states resistance requires attachment to a camera and cannot prevent all dust or water ingress; no IP rating inferred |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 79.5 mm maximum diameter × 164.7 mm length when retracted | Approximately 76.5 mm maximum diameter × 112 mm length; integral hood |
| Weight detail | Approximately 635 g lens | Approximately 578 g lens |
| Lens hood | ET-74B, optional accessory | Built into the lens barrel; maker lists lens cap 14B, Lens Dust Cap RF and pouch LP1219 as accessories |
| Release detail | October 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 assumed | Canon Japan specifies first sale on 20 February 2026; US announcement expected availability by the end of February, rather than the same exact regional day |
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