Canon RF 100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM vs Sony FE 100–400mm F5.6–8 OSS

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RF 100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM compared with FE 100–400mm F5.6–8 OSS

	CanonRF 100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM	SonyFE 100–400mm F5.6–8 OSS
Overview
Released
Released	October 2021	August 2026
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	100–400 mm	100–400 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/5.6–8	f/5.6–8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/32–45	f/32–45
Optical construction
Optical construction	12 elements in nine groups	15 elements in 10 groups
Special elements
Special elements	One UD element and one PMo aspherical element	Two ED glass and two aspherical elements
Coatings
Coatings	Super Spectra; no fluorine coating, per UK maker table	–
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine blades	Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	–	24°–6°10′ full frame; 16°–4°10′ APS-C
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Canon RF	Sony E
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Image circle detail
Image circle detail	–	Full-frame coverage; 150–600 mm equivalent field of view on APS-C
Compatibility
Compatibility	Canon RF mount, full-frame image circle; incompatible with EF DSLRs and EOS M cameras	–
Teleconverter support
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	Compatible with SEL14TC and SEL20TC; 2× extends physical focal range to 200–800 mm with a two-stop aperture reduction
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.88 m	0.86 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.41×	0.41×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Nano USM autofocus and electronic manual focus	Two linear motors; compatible with up to 120 fps AF/AE tracking on Alpha 9 III under Sony test conditions, with speed dependent on shooting conditions and compatibility
Focus distance detail
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	Minimum focus 1.13 m at 100 mm or 0.86 m at 400 mm
Magnification detail
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
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	Optical SteadyShot; coordinated body stabilisation and Active Mode require a compatible camera; Sony publishes no stop rating
Video features
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	Breathing compensation supported with compatible cameras; enabling it changes the field of view and image quality slightly and may not fully correct breathing
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	No	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	67 mm	67 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	79.5 mm	78.2 mm
Length
Length	164.7 mm	164.5 mm
Weight
Weight	635 g (better)	654 g
Controls
Controls	Separate zoom, electronic manual focus and custom control rings; AF/MF and IS switches; zoom lock	Customisable focus-hold button, combined AF FULL / AF infinity–3 m / MF switch, OSS on/off switch and zoom lock
Zoom design
Zoom design	Extending zoom barrel; main maker length measured retracted	Barrel extends towards 400 mm; zoom lock prevents unintended extension when pointed downwards
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	UK maker specification explicitly states no dust/moisture resistance	Dust- and moisture-resistant design; not guaranteed completely dust- or moisture-proof
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 79.5 mm maximum diameter × 164.7 mm length when retracted	–
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 635 g lens	Approximately 654 g lens; separate hood and caps excluded
Lens hood
Lens hood	ET-74B, optional accessory	ALC-SH188 round bayonet hood
In the box
In the box	–	ALC-SH188 hood, ALC-F67S front cap and ALC-R1EM rear cap
Release detail
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	Sony UK announced on 4 August 2026 and specified availability from the end of August 2026 at approximately £800. The separate Japanese launch date was 4 September 2026; month precision records the earlier UK on-sale window, with no exact UK day published