Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM vs Canon RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM

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RF 1200mm F8L IS USM compared with RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM
CanonRF 1200mm F8L IS USMCanonRF 800mm F5.6L IS USM
Overview
ReleasedMay 2022May 2022
Optics
Lens typePrimePrime
Focal length1,200 mm800 mm
Maximum aperturef/8f/5.6
Minimum aperturef/64f/64
Optical constructionTwenty-six elements in eighteen groupsTwenty-six elements in eighteen groups
Special elementsTwo fluorite elements, one Super UD and one UD elementTwo fluorite elements, one Super UD and one UD element
CoatingsSuper Spectra and ASC; fluorine coating on the front elementSuper Spectra and ASC; fluorine coating on the front element
Aperture detailMaximum f/8; minimum f/64Maximum f/5.6; minimum f/64
DiaphragmNine circular bladesNine circular blades
Angle of viewFull-frame diagonal 2°05′; horizontal 1°45′; vertical 1°10′Full-frame diagonal 3°05′; horizontal 2°35′; vertical 1°40′
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon RFCanon RF
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityCanon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R camerasCanon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R cameras
Teleconverter supportRF 1.4× gives 1680 mm f/11 with 0.41× magnification; RF 2× gives 2400 mm f/16 with 0.60×; AF and IS operate with either extenderRF 1.4× gives 1120 mm f/8 with 0.49× magnification; RF 2× gives 1600 mm f/11 with 0.71×; AF and IS operate with either extender
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance4.3 m2.6 m
Maximum magnification0.29×0.34×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailRing-type USM; electronic full-time manual focus requires compatible body settings; original EOS R, RP and Ra are unsupported, and R5/R6 require firmware 1.3.0 or laterRing-type USM; electronic full-time manual focus requires compatible body settings; original EOS R, RP and Ra are unsupported, and R5/R6 require firmware 1.3.0 or later
Focus distance detail4.3 m minimum focus; full range, 4.3–30 m and 30 m–infinity limiter settings; three manual-focus speeds and two stored focus presets2.6 m minimum focus; full range, 2.6–20 m and 20 m–infinity limiter settings; three manual-focus speeds and two stored focus presets
Magnification detail0.29× maximum magnification; approximately 241 × 161 mm subject fills a full-frame image at minimum focus0.34× maximum magnification; approximately 206 × 138 mm subject fills a full-frame image at minimum focus
Stabilisation detailFour-stop optical IS with EOS R, R5 or R3 under CIPA yaw/pitch conditions; modes 1, 2 and 3Canon UK and Japan rate optical IS at 4.5 stops with EOS R, R5 or R3 under CIPA yaw/pitch conditions; modes 1, 2 and 3
Video featuresAperture control in 1/8-stop increments; power-focus mode with two speeds selected by playback-ring rotationAperture control in 1/8-stop increments; power-focus mode with two speeds selected by playback-ring rotation
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesYes
Filter diameter52 mm52 mm
Maximum diameter168 mm163 mm
Length537 mm432 mm
Weight3,340 g3,140 g (better)
ControlsFocus and playback rings, AF/PF/MF selector, focus-speed and preset switches, and four lens-function buttonsFocus and playback rings, AF/PF/MF selector, focus-speed and preset switches, and four lens-function buttons
Filter detail52 mm drop-in screw-type holder 52 (WIII), supplied with a clear Protect filter; compatible with optional drop-in polariser and gelatin holder52 mm drop-in screw-type holder 52 (WIII), supplied with a clear Protect filter; compatible with optional drop-in polariser and gelatin holder
Weather resistanceDust- and moisture-resistant construction with heat-reflective paintDust- and moisture-resistant construction with heat-reflective paint
Dimensions detail168 mm maximum diameter × 537 mm length163 mm maximum diameter × 432 mm length
Weight detailApproximately 3,340 g excluding the tripod collar; Canon Japan states the collar weighs approximately 160 gApproximately 3,140 g lens
Tripod mountSupplied tripod collar and support footSupplied tripod collar and support foot
Lens hoodET-160 (WIII) included; shorter ET-160B optionalET-155 (WIII) included; shorter ET-155B optional
In the boxLens, drop-in screw-type filter holder 52 (WIII) with 52 mm Protect filter, E-185C cap, RF dust cap, ET-160 (WIII) hood, LS1200 soft case, Lens Wide Strap B and user manualLens, drop-in screw-type filter holder 52 (WIII) with 52 mm Protect filter, E-180E cap, RF dust cap, ET-155 (WIII) hood, LS600 soft case, Lens Wide Strap B and user manual
Release detailFirst sale in Japan on 26 May 2022, stated by Canon Japan support; the original announcement promised late MayFirst sale in Japan on 26 May 2022, stated by Canon Japan support; the original announcement promised late May

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