Canon RF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZ vs Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonRF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZ | CanonRF 800mm F11 IS STM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | June 2026 | July 2020 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Prime |
| Focal length | 20–50 mm | 800 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 | f/11 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/11 |
| Optical construction | 13 elements in 11 groups | Eleven elements in eight groups |
| Special elements | Two glass-moulded aspherical and three UD elements | Gapless dual-layer diffractive optical element |
| Coatings | ASC and Super Spectra; fluorine coating on the front element | – |
| Aperture detail | Constant maximum f/4, minimum f/22 throughout the range | Fixed f/11 aperture; cannot be stopped down |
| Diaphragm | Nine aperture blades | No aperture blades |
| Angle of view | Horizontal 84°–40°, vertical 62°–27° and diagonal 94°–46° on full frame | 2°35′ horizontal, 1°40′ vertical and 3°05′ diagonal on full frame |
| 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; EOS R, Ra and RP require compatible firmware |
| Teleconverter support | Canon RF extenders not compatible | RF 1.4× gives 1120 mm at f/16 and 0.19× maximum magnification; RF 2× gives 1600 mm at f/22 and 0.28×. Canon lists autofocus and stabilisation as supported with both; performance depends on camera and light levels |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.24 m | 6 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.33× | 0.14× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | Nano USM autofocus; full-time manual focus; maker rear-focus design retains length during focusing | Lead-screw STM autofocus; Canon states approximately 40% horizontal × 60% vertical AF coverage in its original EOS R compatibility notes |
| Focus distance detail | – | Minimum focus 6 m; full-range or 20 m–infinity focus limiter (Cameralabs) |
| Magnification detail | Maker maximum magnification 0.14× at 20 mm or 0.33× at 50 mm; no AF/MF mode specified in the table | Maximum 0.14× without an extender |
| 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 | Up to four stops optical stabilisation under CIPA testing with EOS R |
| 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 resistant | Yes | No |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | 95 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 79.9 mm | 101.6 mm |
| Length | 98.4 mm | 281.8 mm |
| Weight | 420 g (better) | 1,260 g |
| Controls | Customisable control ring, focus ring and zoom ring; PZ/MZ selector, custom button, AF/MF and stabiliser switches (Digital Camera World; ePHOTOzine) | Separate manual focus and customisable control rings; focus limiter, AF/MF and stabiliser switches |
| 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 | Prime lens with a retracting storage barrel; extend and lock the barrel before shooting |
| Filter detail | 67 mm front screw-in filter thread | – |
| 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 | No dust or moisture resistance; no rubber mount seal (Cameralabs) |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 79.9 mm maximum diameter × 98.4 mm length | 101.6 mm maximum diameter; 281.8 mm retracted length or 351.8 mm when extended for shooting |
| Weight detail | Approximately 420 g lens | Approximately 1260 g lens |
| Tripod mount | – | Built-in tripod mounting thread; no rotating collar (Cameralabs) |
| Lens hood | ES-73B; maker lists E-67 II cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and LP1219 pouch as accessories | Optional ET-101 hood; not included |
| In the box | – | Lens, E-95 cap, RF dust cap and user manual kit |
| Release detail | Canon Japan's 11 June 2026 notice confirms first sale from 26 June 2026, resolving the earlier late-June launch wording | July 2020 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum |
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