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Canon RF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZ 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 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZCanonRF 200–800mm F6.3–9 IS USM
Overview
ReleasedJune 2026December 2023
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length20–50 mm200–800 mm
Maximum aperturef/4f/6.3–9
Minimum aperturef/22f/32–54
Optical construction13 elements in 11 groupsSeventeen elements in eleven groups
Special elementsTwo glass-moulded aspherical and three UD elementsThree UD elements
CoatingsASC and Super Spectra; fluorine coating on the front elementSuper Spectra coating; no fluorine coating
Aperture detailConstant maximum f/4, minimum f/22 throughout the rangeMaximum 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 aperture bladesNine aperture blades
Angle of viewHorizontal 84°–40°, vertical 62°–27° and diagonal 94°–46° on full frame12°–3°05′ diagonal, 10°–2°35′ horizontal and 7°–1°40′ vertical
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon RFCanon RF
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityCanon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle; power-zoom control from camera body or remote devices depends on compatible model and firmwareCanon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R cameras
Teleconverter supportCanon RF extenders not compatibleRF 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 distance0.24 m0.8 m
Maximum magnification0.33×0.25×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailNano USM autofocus; full-time manual focus; maker rear-focus design retains length during focusingNano USM autofocus for fast stills focusing and smooth video transitions
Focus distance detail–Minimum focus 0.8 m at 200 mm and 3.3 m at 800 mm
Magnification detailMaker maximum magnification 0.14× at 20 mm or 0.33× at 50 mm; no AF/MF mode specified in the tableMaximum 0.25× at 200 mm and 0.2× at 800 mm
Stabilisation detailMaker 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 setupUp 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 featuresInternal multi-speed power zoom and optically suppressed focus breathing; zoom ring switches between powered and conventional manual operation–
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesYes
Filter diameter67 mm95 mm
Maximum diameter79.9 mm102.3 mm
Length98.4 mm314.1 mm
Weight420 g2,060 g
ControlsCustomisable control ring, focus ring and zoom ring; PZ/MZ selector, custom button, AF/MF and stabiliser switches (Digital Camera World; ePHOTOzine)Combined focus/control ring, customisable lens function buttons, AF/MF and stabiliser switches, and smooth/tight zoom torque adjustment
Zoom designInternal 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 descriptionsBarrel extends when zooming towards 800 mm
Filter detail67 mm front screw-in filter thread–
Weather resistanceDust 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 inferredDust and moisture resistant construction; white exterior helps limit heating in sunlight
Dimensions detailApproximately 79.9 mm maximum diameter × 98.4 mm length102.3 mm maximum diameter × 314.1 mm length with barrel retracted
Weight detailApproximately 420 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 hoodES-73B; maker lists E-67 II cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and LP1219 pouch as accessoriesET-101 hood included
In the box–Lens, E-95 cap, ET-101 hood, RF dust cap, Lens Strap 40 and user manual
Release detailCanon Japan's 11 June 2026 notice confirms first sale from 26 June 2026, resolving the earlier late-June launch wordingDecember 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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