Canon RF 70–200mm F4 L IS USM vs Canon RF-S 55–210mm F5–7.1 IS STM
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonRF 70–200mm F4 L IS USM | CanonRF-S 55–210mm F5–7.1 IS STM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | March 2021 | March 2023 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Zoom |
| Focal length | 70–200 mm | 55–210 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 | f/5–7.1 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 | f/22–32 |
| Optical construction | Sixteen elements in eleven groups | Eleven elements in eight groups |
| Special elements | Four UD elements; Air Sphere and fluorine coatings | Two UD elements and one plastic-moulded aspherical element; Super Spectra coating; no fluorine coating |
| Aperture detail | – | Minimum f/22 at 55 mm and f/32 at 210 mm |
| Diaphragm | Nine blades | Seven blades |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Canon RF | Canon RF |
| Image circle | Full frame | APS-C |
| Compatibility | Canon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R bodies; RF extenders not compatible | Canon RF mount with APS-C image circle; full-frame EOS R bodies crop to APS-C; RF extenders and EF extension tubes not compatible |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.6 m | 0.73 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.28× | 0.28× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | Dual Nano USM drives focus and floating lens groups independently; electronic floating focus system | Lead-screw STM autofocus and electronic manual focusing |
| Focus distance detail | Minimum focus 0.6 m throughout the zoom range | Minimum focus 1 m at 55 mm and 0.73 m at 210 mm |
| Magnification detail | Maximum 0.28× at 200 mm | Maximum 0.05× at 55 mm and 0.28× at 210 mm |
| Stabilisation detail | Optical IS rated five stops with EOS R at 200 mm under CIPA, yaw/pitch; coordinated IS rated 7.5 stops with EOS R5 at 200 mm under CIPA, yaw/pitch | Optical 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 |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | No |
| Filter diameter | 77 mm | 55 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 83.5 mm | 69 mm |
| Length | 119 mm | 92.9 mm |
| Weight | 695 g | 270 g (better) |
| Controls | Zoom, electronic manual-focus and customisable control rings; focus limiter with full or 2.5 m–infinity range; AF/MF, IS on/off and three IS mode switches; zoom lock at 70 mm | Combined focus/control ring and zoom ring; AF/MF and IS controlled through camera settings |
| Zoom design | Extending barrel; 119 mm length at 70 mm; 176 mm extended at 200 mm (Cameralabs) | Extending zoom barrel |
| Weather resistance | Dust and water resistant construction; Canon states this cannot completely prevent dust or droplets entering | No dust or moisture resistance |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 83.5 mm maximum diameter × 119 mm length, retracted | Approximately 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 detail | Approximately 695 g lens | Approximately 270 g lens |
| Tripod mount | No tripod collar mount (Cameralabs) | – |
| Lens hood | ET-83G (WIII) hood included | ET-60B hood and LP1016 pouch, sold separately |
| In the box | Lens, E-77 II front cap, RF dust cap, ET-83G (WIII) hood, LP1319 case and user manual kit | Lens, E-55 front cap, RF lens dust cap and user manual |
| Release detail | March 2021 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum and Canon's global annual lens-release list | March 2023 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum |
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