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Canon RF 100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM vs Canon RF 200–800mm F6.3–9 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 200–800mm F6.3–9 IS USM
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2021December 2023
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length100–400 mm200–800 mm
Maximum aperturef/5.6–8f/6.3–9
Minimum aperturef/32–45f/32–54
Optical construction12 elements in nine groupsSeventeen elements in eleven groups
Special elementsOne UD element and one PMo aspherical elementThree UD elements
CoatingsSuper Spectra; no fluorine coating, per UK maker tableSuper Spectra coating; no fluorine coating
Aperture detail–Maximum f/6.3 at 200 mm and f/9 at 800 mm; minimum f/32–54 in the current UK specification. Canon Camera Museum instead lists f/51 at 800 mm
DiaphragmNine bladesNine aperture blades
Angle of view–12°–3°05′ diagonal, 10°–2°35′ horizontal and 7°–1°40′ vertical
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 RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R cameras
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 rangeRF 1.4× gives 280–1120 mm at f/9–13, maximum 0.37×; RF 2× gives 400–1600 mm at f/13–18, maximum 0.54×. Autofocus and stabilisation supported throughout the zoom range; autofocus coverage depends on camera and extender
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.88 m0.8 m
Maximum magnification0.41×0.25×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailNano USM autofocus and electronic manual focusNano USM autofocus for fast stills focusing and smooth video transitions
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 tableMinimum focus 0.8 m at 200 mm and 3.3 m at 800 mm
Magnification detail0.09× at 100 mm, 0.24× at 200 mm, 0.34× at 300 mm and 0.41× at 400 mm; no unpublished AF/MF distinction inferredMaximum 0.25× at 200 mm and 0.2× at 800 mm
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 conditionUp to 5.5 stops optical stabilisation with EOS R at 800 mm, or 5.5 stops coordinated stabilisation with EOS R3 at 800 mm; CIPA yaw and pitch testing. Coordinated correction has greater effect towards the wide end
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 mm95 mm
Maximum diameter79.5 mm102.3 mm
Length164.7 mm314.1 mm
Weight635 g2,060 g
ControlsSeparate zoom, electronic manual focus and custom control rings; AF/MF and IS switches; zoom lockCombined focus/control ring, customisable lens function buttons, AF/MF and stabiliser switches, and smooth/tight zoom torque adjustment
Zoom designExtending zoom barrel; main maker length measured retractedBarrel extends when zooming towards 800 mm
Weather resistanceUK maker specification explicitly states no dust/moisture resistanceDust and moisture resistant construction; white exterior helps limit heating in sunlight
Dimensions detailApproximately 79.5 mm maximum diameter × 164.7 mm length when retracted102.3 mm maximum diameter × 314.1 mm length with barrel retracted
Weight detailApproximately 635 g lensApproximately 2060 g current production; products manufactured before July 2026 weigh 2050 g. Canon's Japanese notice attributes the change to revised component specifications
Tripod mount–Attached rotating tripod collar; not removable or Arca-Swiss compatible (Amateur Photographer)
Lens hoodET-74B, optional accessoryET-101 hood included
In the box–Lens, E-95 cap, ET-101 hood, RF dust cap, Lens Strap 40 and user manual
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 assumedDecember 2023 release confirmed retrospectively by Canon's February 2024 global announcement; Japan's launch notice states early December and the US announcement expected December. Canon Camera Museum instead labels November 2023 as marketed

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