Canon RF 100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM vs Canon RF 14mm F1.4L VCM

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

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RF 100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM compared with RF 14mm F1.4L VCM
CanonRF 100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USMCanonRF 14mm F1.4L VCM
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2021February 2026
Optics
Lens typeZoomPrime
Focal length100–400 mm14 mm
Maximum aperturef/5.6–8f/1.4
Minimum aperturef/32–45f/16
Optical construction12 elements in nine groups18 elements in 13 groups
Special elementsOne UD element and one PMo aspherical elementOne fluorite, one UD, one BR and three glass-moulded aspherical elements
CoatingsSuper Spectra; no fluorine coating, per UK maker tableTwo 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
DiaphragmNine blades11 circular aperture blades
Angle of view–104° horizontal, 81° vertical and 114° diagonal on full frame
Projection–Rectilinear ultra-wide design
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; iris-ring functions depend on the camera and firmware
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 rangeCanon RF extenders not compatible
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.88 m0.24 m
Maximum magnification0.41×0.11×
Optical stabilisationYesNo
Autofocus detailNano USM autofocus and electronic manual focusVoice Coil Motor autofocus; electronic manual focus ring; maker rear-focus design maintains lens length during focusing
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 table–
Magnification detail0.09× at 100 mm, 0.24× at 200 mm, 0.34× at 300 mm and 0.41× at 400 mm; no unpublished AF/MF distinction inferred–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 conditionNo 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 featuresCameralabs found little focus breathing and mostly maintained focus while zooming in its tests; these are reviewer observations rather than maker parfocal certificationStepless 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 resistantNoYes
Filter diameter67 mm–
Maximum diameter79.5 mm76.5 mm
Length164.7 mm112 mm
Weight635 g578 g (better)
ControlsSeparate zoom, electronic manual focus and custom control rings; AF/MF and IS switches; zoom lockCustomisable 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 designExtending zoom barrel; main maker length measured retracted–
Weather resistanceUK maker specification explicitly states no dust/moisture resistanceDust 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 detailApproximately 79.5 mm maximum diameter × 164.7 mm length when retractedApproximately 76.5 mm maximum diameter × 112 mm length; integral hood
Weight detailApproximately 635 g lensApproximately 578 g lens
Lens hoodET-74B, optional accessoryBuilt into the lens barrel; maker lists lens cap 14B, Lens Dust Cap RF and pouch LP1219 as accessories
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 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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