Request a product

Canon RF 400mm F2.8L IS USM vs Canon RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

CanonRF 400mm F2.8L IS USMCanonRF 800mm F5.6L IS USM
Overview
ReleasedJuly 2021May 2022
Optics
Lens typePrimePrime
Focal length400 mm800 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/5.6
Minimum aperturef/32f/64
Optical constructionSeventeen elements in thirteen groupsTwenty-six elements in eighteen groups
Special elementsTwo fluorite elements and one Super UD elementTwo fluorite elements, one Super UD and one UD element
CoatingsSuper Spectra and ASC; fluorine coatings on front and rear elementsSuper Spectra and ASC; fluorine coating on the front element
Aperture detailMaximum f/2.8; minimum f/32Maximum f/5.6; minimum f/64
DiaphragmNine bladesNine circular blades
Angle of viewFull-frame diagonal 6°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 supportCompatible with RF 1.4× and RF 2× extendersRF 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 distance2.5 m2.6 m
Maximum magnification0.17×0.34×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
Autofocus detailRing-type USM with Power Doubled Focus Drive on compatible cameras; full-time manual overrideRing-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 detail2.5 m minimum focus; two stored focus presets and variable-speed manual focusing2.6 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 detail0.17× maximum magnification0.34× maximum magnification; approximately 206 × 138 mm subject fills a full-frame image at minimum focus
Stabilisation detailCanon rates optical IS at 5.5 stops with EOS R or EOS R5 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 for controlled focus transitionsAperture 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 diameter163 mm163 mm
Length367 mm432 mm
Weight2,890 g3,140 g
ControlsFocus ring, playback ring, focus-preset controls and customisable lens-function buttons; no custom control ring (Cameralabs)Focus and playback rings, AF/PF/MF selector, focus-speed and preset switches, and four lens-function buttons
Filter detail52 mm drop-in screw-type filter holder 52 (WIII), supplied with a clear Protect filter; optional circular 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 white paintDust- and moisture-resistant construction with heat-reflective paint
Dimensions detail163 mm maximum diameter × 367 mm length163 mm maximum diameter × 432 mm length
Weight detailApproximately 2,890 g lensApproximately 3,140 g lens
Tripod mountRotating built-in foot with 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch threads; no Arca-Swiss dovetail (Cameralabs)Supplied tripod collar and support foot
Lens hoodET-155 (WIII) included; shorter ET-155B optionalET-155 (WIII) included; shorter ET-155B optional
In the boxLens, RF dust cap, drop-in screw-type filter holder 52 (WIII) with 52 mm Protect filter, E-180E soft cap, ET-155 (WIII) hood, LS400 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 detailJuly 2021 Japanese first release, confirmed retrospectively by Canon's March 2022 announcement and Camera MuseumFirst sale in Japan on 26 May 2022, stated by Canon Japan support; the original announcement promised late May

More comparisons