Canon RF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZ vs Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonRF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZ | CanonRF 600mm F4L IS USM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | June 2026 | July 2021 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Prime |
| Focal length | 20–50 mm | 600 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 | f/4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/32 |
| Optical construction | 13 elements in 11 groups | Seventeen elements in thirteen groups |
| Special elements | Two glass-moulded aspherical and three UD elements | Two fluorite elements and one Super UD element |
| Coatings | ASC and Super Spectra; fluorine coating on the front element | Super Spectra and ASC; fluorine coatings on front and rear elements |
| Aperture detail | Constant maximum f/4, minimum f/22 throughout the range | Maximum f/4; minimum f/32 |
| Diaphragm | Nine aperture blades | Nine blades |
| Angle of view | Horizontal 84°–40°, vertical 62°–27° and diagonal 94°–46° on full frame | Full-frame diagonal 4°10′ |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Canon RF | Canon RF |
| Image circle | Full frame | Full frame |
| Compatibility | Canon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle; power-zoom control from camera body or remote devices depends on compatible model and firmware | Canon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R cameras; 960 mm equivalent field of view on Canon APS-C |
| Teleconverter support | Canon RF extenders not compatible | Compatible with RF 1.4× and RF 2× extenders |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.24 m | 4.2 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.33× | 0.15× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | Nano USM autofocus; full-time manual focus; maker rear-focus design retains length during focusing | Ring-type USM with Power Doubled Focus Drive on compatible cameras; full-time manual override |
| Focus distance detail | – | 4.2 m minimum focus; two stored focus presets and variable-speed manual focusing |
| Magnification detail | Maker maximum magnification 0.14× at 20 mm or 0.33× at 50 mm; no AF/MF mode specified in the table | 0.15× maximum magnification |
| Stabilisation detail | Maker 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 | Canon rates optical IS at 5.5 stops with EOS R or EOS R5 under CIPA yaw/pitch conditions; modes 1, 2 and 3 |
| Video features | Internal multi-speed power zoom and optically suppressed focus breathing; zoom ring switches between powered and conventional manual operation | Aperture control in 1/8-stop increments; power-focus mode for controlled focus transitions |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | 52 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 79.9 mm | 168 mm |
| Length | 98.4 mm | 472 mm |
| Weight | 420 g (better) | 3,090 g |
| Controls | Customisable control ring, focus ring and zoom ring; PZ/MZ selector, custom button, AF/MF and stabiliser switches (Digital Camera World; ePHOTOzine) | Focus ring, playback ring, focus-preset controls and lens-function buttons; no custom control ring (Cameralabs) |
| Zoom design | Internal 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 detail | 67 mm front screw-in filter thread | 52 mm drop-in screw-type filter holder 52 (WIII), supplied with a clear Protect filter; optional circular polariser and gelatin holder |
| Weather resistance | Dust 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 | Dust- and moisture-resistant construction with heat-reflective white paint |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 79.9 mm maximum diameter × 98.4 mm length | 168 mm maximum diameter × 472 mm length |
| Weight detail | Approximately 420 g lens | Approximately 3,090 g lens |
| Tripod mount | – | Rotating built-in foot with 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch threads; no Arca-Swiss dovetail (Cameralabs) |
| Lens hood | ES-73B; maker lists E-67 II cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and LP1219 pouch as accessories | ET-160 (WIII) included; shorter ET-160B optional |
| In the box | – | Lens, RF dust cap, drop-in screw-type filter holder 52 (WIII) with 52 mm Protect filter, E-185C soft cap, ET-160 (WIII) hood, LS600 soft case, Lens Wide Strap B and user manual |
| Release detail | Canon Japan's 11 June 2026 notice confirms first sale from 26 June 2026, resolving the earlier late-June launch wording | July 2021 Japanese first release confirmed retrospectively by Canon's March 2022 announcement and Camera Museum |
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