Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM vs Canon RF 85mm F1.4L VCM

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

RF 600mm F4L IS USM compared with RF 85mm F1.4L VCM
CanonRF 600mm F4L IS USMCanonRF 85mm F1.4L VCM
Overview
ReleasedJuly 2021September 2025
Optics
Lens typePrimePrime
Focal length600 mm85 mm
Maximum aperturef/4f/1.4
Minimum aperturef/32f/16
Optical constructionSeventeen elements in thirteen groups14 elements in 10 groups
Special elementsTwo fluorite elements and one Super UD elementOne UD and one glass-moulded aspherical element
CoatingsSuper Spectra and ASC; fluorine coatings on front and rear elementsASC and Super Spectra; fluorine coating on the front element
Aperture detailMaximum f/4; minimum f/32f/1.4–16 with stepless iris ring; no click-stop option (Amateur Photographer)
DiaphragmNine blades11 circular aperture blades
Angle of viewFull-frame diagonal 4°10′24° horizontal, 16° vertical and 28°30′ diagonal on full frame
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon RFCanon RF
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityCanon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R cameras; 960 mm equivalent field of view on Canon APS-CCanon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle; stills iris-ring support is body/firmware dependent
Teleconverter supportCompatible with RF 1.4× and RF 2× extendersCanon RF extenders not compatible
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance4.2 m0.75 m
Maximum magnification0.15×0.12×
Optical stabilisationYesNo
Autofocus detailRing-type USM with Power Doubled Focus Drive on compatible cameras; full-time manual overrideVoice Coil Motor autofocus; electronic manual focus; maker notes movement/noise in unpowered internal VCM components is normal
Focus distance detail4.2 m minimum focus; two stored focus presets and variable-speed manual focusing–
Magnification detail0.15× maximum magnification–
Stabilisation detailCanon rates optical IS at 5.5 stops with EOS R or EOS R5 under CIPA yaw/pitch conditions; modes 1, 2 and 3No lens optical IS; maker separately lists camera IBIS CIPA-2024 performance of eight stops at the centre and seven at the corners under its camera/test conditions
Video featuresAperture control in 1/8-stop increments; power-focus mode for controlled focus transitionsOptically suppressed focus breathing and stepless iris control; UK maker footnote excludes stills iris-ring operation on EOS R/RP/Ra/R3/R5/R6/R6 Mark II/R7/R8/R10/R50/R100/R5 C even with current firmware
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesYes
Filter diameter52 mm67 mm
Maximum diameter168 mm76.5 mm
Length472 mm99.3 mm
Weight3,090 g636 g (better)
ControlsFocus ring, playback ring, focus-preset controls and lens-function buttons; no custom control ring (Cameralabs)Customisable control ring, focus ring, iris ring with Auto-position lock, function button and AF/MF switch (Amateur Photographer)
Filter detail52 mm drop-in screw-type filter holder 52 (WIII), supplied with a clear Protect filter; optional circular polariser and gelatin holder67 mm front screw-in filter thread; compatible Canon 67 mm Protect and PL-C B circular polarising filters
Weather resistanceDust- and moisture-resistant construction with heat-reflective white paintDust and moisture resistant with mount gasket; Canon states protection requires attachment to a camera and cannot prevent all dust or water ingress; no waterproof/IP rating inferred
Dimensions detail168 mm maximum diameter × 472 mm lengthApproximately 76.5 mm maximum diameter × 99.3 mm length
Weight detailApproximately 3,090 g lensApproximately 636 g lens
Tripod mountRotating built-in foot with 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch threads; no Arca-Swiss dovetail (Cameralabs)–
Lens hoodET-160 (WIII) included; shorter ET-160B optionalET-73C; maker lists E-67 II cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and LP1219 pouch as accessories
In the boxLens, 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 detailJuly 2021 Japanese first release confirmed retrospectively by Canon's March 2022 announcement and Camera MuseumCanon Japan specifies first sale on 27 September 2025; no UK first-sale day inferred

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