Request a product

Canon RF 100–500mm F4.5–7.1L IS USM vs Canon RF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZ

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

CanonRF 100–500mm F4.5–7.1L IS USMCanonRF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZ
Overview
ReleasedAugust 2020June 2026
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length100–500 mm20–50 mm
Maximum aperturef/4.5–7.1f/4
Minimum aperturef/32–51f/22
Optical construction20 elements in 14 groups13 elements in 11 groups
Special elementsSix UD elements and one Super UD elementTwo glass-moulded aspherical and three UD elements
CoatingsASC anti-reflection coating, fluorine coating and heat-shield barrel paintASC and Super Spectra; fluorine coating on the front element
Aperture detailMaximum 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 usedConstant maximum f/4, minimum f/22 throughout the range
DiaphragmNine blades with circular apertureNine aperture blades
Angle of viewFull-frame horizontal 20°–4°, vertical 14°–2°45′ and diagonal 24°–5°Horizontal 84°–40°, vertical 62°–27° and diagonal 94°–46° on full frame
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon RFCanon RF
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityCanon 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 USMCanon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle; power-zoom control from camera body or remote devices depends on compatible model and firmware
Teleconverter supportRF1.4× 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 mmCanon RF extenders not compatible
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.9 m0.24 m
Maximum magnification0.33×0.33×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailDual 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 betterNano USM autofocus; full-time manual focus; maker rear-focus design retains length during focusing
Focus distance detailMaker 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 AF/MF mode distinction unpublished and omitted–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 detailMaker maximum magnification 0.33× at 500 mm; no unpublished AF/MF distinction inferredMaker maximum magnification 0.14× at 20 mm or 0.33× at 50 mm; no AF/MF mode specified in the table
Stabilisation detailLens 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 ratingMaker six-stop optical IS or combined camera/lens eight stops at centre and corners under CIPA-2024, at maximum focal length with its specified camera; not guaranteed in every shooting setup
Video features–Internal multi-speed power zoom and optically suppressed focus breathing; zoom ring switches between powered and conventional manual operation
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesYes
Filter diameter77 mm67 mm
Maximum diameter93.8 mm79.9 mm
Length207.6 mm98.4 mm
Weight1,370 g420 g
ControlsZoom and focus rings, customisable control ring, adjustable zoom torque, AF/MF switch, Full or 3 m–infinity focus limiter and IS on/off/mode switchesCustomisable control ring, focus ring and zoom ring; PZ/MZ selector, custom button, AF/MF and stabiliser switches (Digital Camera World; ePHOTOzine)
Zoom designExtending zoom barrel; dimensions measured retractedInternal zoom/focus keeps barrel length fixed; ePHOTOzine describes conventional mechanical manual zoom, while Digital Camera World's prose calls it fly-by-wire; no silent choice between those reviewer descriptions
Filter detail77 mm front filter thread67 mm front screw-in filter thread
Weather resistanceDust and moisture resistant construction requires attachment to a camera; does not completely prevent dust or water ingress and is not waterproofDust and moisture resistant with mount gasket; maker warns camera attachment is required and protection cannot prevent all dust or water ingress; no waterproof/IP rating inferred
Dimensions detailApproximately 93.8 mm maximum diameter × 207.6 mm length, retractedApproximately 79.9 mm maximum diameter × 98.4 mm length
Weight detailMaker 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 usedApproximately 420 g lens
Tripod mountRemovable rotating tripod collar, approximately 160 g; shown attached in the maker press photograph–
Lens hoodET-83F (WIII)ES-73B; maker lists E-67 II cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and LP1219 pouch as accessories
In the boxUK maker store lists lens, ET-83F (WIII) hood, E-77 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and LZ1328 case–
Release detailCanon 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 linkCanon Japan's 11 June 2026 notice confirms first sale from 26 June 2026, resolving the earlier late-June launch wording

More comparisons