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Canon RF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZ vs Canon RF-S 55–210mm F5–7.1 IS STM

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-S 55–210mm F5–7.1 IS STM
Overview
ReleasedJune 2026March 2023
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length20–50 mm55–210 mm
Maximum aperturef/4f/5–7.1
Minimum aperturef/22f/22–32
Optical construction13 elements in 11 groupsEleven elements in eight groups
Special elementsTwo glass-moulded aspherical and three UD elementsTwo UD elements and one plastic-moulded aspherical element; Super Spectra coating; no fluorine coating
CoatingsASC and Super Spectra; fluorine coating on the front element–
Aperture detailConstant maximum f/4, minimum f/22 throughout the rangeMinimum f/22 at 55 mm and f/32 at 210 mm
DiaphragmNine aperture bladesSeven blades
Angle of viewHorizontal 84°–40°, vertical 62°–27° and diagonal 94°–46° on full frame–
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon RFCanon RF
Image circleFull frameAPS-C
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 with APS-C image circle; full-frame EOS R bodies crop to APS-C; RF extenders and EF extension tubes not compatible
Teleconverter supportCanon RF extenders not compatible–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.24 m0.73 m
Maximum magnification0.33×0.28×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailNano USM autofocus; full-time manual focus; maker rear-focus design retains length during focusingLead-screw STM autofocus and electronic manual focusing
Focus distance detail–Minimum focus 1 m at 55 mm and 0.73 m at 210 mm
Magnification detailMaker maximum magnification 0.14× at 20 mm or 0.33× at 50 mm; no AF/MF mode specified in the tableMaximum 0.05× at 55 mm and 0.28× at 210 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 setupOptical IS rated 4.5 stops with EOS R10 at 210 mm under CIPA, yaw/pitch; coordinated IS rated seven stops with EOS R7 at 210 mm under CIPA, yaw/pitch
Video featuresInternal multi-speed power zoom and optically suppressed focus breathing; zoom ring switches between powered and conventional manual operation–
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesNo
Filter diameter67 mm55 mm
Maximum diameter79.9 mm69 mm
Length98.4 mm92.9 mm
Weight420 g270 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 and zoom ring; AF/MF and IS controlled through camera settings
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 descriptionsExtending zoom barrel
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 inferredNo dust or moisture resistance
Dimensions detailApproximately 79.9 mm maximum diameter × 98.4 mm lengthApproximately 69 mm maximum diameter × 92.9 mm length, per Canon Japan and Camera Museum; UK table labels 135 mm as retracted, while Digital Camera World identifies 135 mm as extended
Weight detailApproximately 420 g lensApproximately 270 g lens
Lens hoodES-73B; maker lists E-67 II cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and LP1219 pouch as accessoriesET-60B hood and LP1016 pouch, sold separately
In the box–Lens, E-55 front cap, RF lens dust cap and user manual
Release detailCanon Japan's 11 June 2026 notice confirms first sale from 26 June 2026, resolving the earlier late-June launch wordingMarch 2023 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum

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