RF 100–300mm F2.8L IS USM

Released May 2023

A full-frame telephoto zoom with a constant f/2.8 aperture, two Nano USM focus motors and optical stabilisation. Its internal zoom design maintains the barrel length, and it accepts Canon RF 1.4× and 2× extenders.

Mount: Canon RF
Focal length: 100–300 mm
Max aperture: f/2.8
Stabilisation: Yes
Weight: 2,590 g

What reviewers say

Both praise fast, quiet autofocus, strong sharpness and smooth background blur, while finding the lens heavy and expensive. Digital Camera World reports excellent corner sharpness even at f/2.8; Photography Blog finds edges improve when stopped down. Photography Blog also criticises the noisy zoom ring and awkward access to the front function buttons. Photography Blog recommends support for longer sessions.

From digitalcameraworld.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com and photographyblog.com

Specifications

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Optics

Lens type: Zoom
Focal length: 100–300 mm
Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Minimum aperture: f/22
Optical construction: Twenty-three elements in eighteen groups
Special elements: One fluorite, four UD and one glass-moulded aspherical element
Coatings: Super Spectra, ASC and fluorine coatings
Aperture detail: Constant maximum f/2.8; minimum f/22
Diaphragm: Nine blades
Angle of view: Full-frame diagonal 24°–8°15′; horizontal 20°–6°50′; vertical 14°–4°35′

Mount and compatibility

Mounts: Canon RF
Image circle: Full frame
Compatibility: Canon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R cameras
Teleconverter support: RF 1.4× gives 140–420 mm f/4; RF 2× gives 200–600 mm f/5.6

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus: Yes
Minimum focus distance: 1.8 m
Maximum magnification: 0.16×
Optical stabilisation: Yes
Autofocus detail: Two Nano USM motors independently drive the electronic floating-focus groups; full-time electronic manual focus
Focus distance detail: 1.8 m minimum focus throughout the zoom range; limiter selects full range or 6 m–infinity
Magnification detail: 0.06× at 100 mm and 0.16× at 300 mm
Stabilisation detail: Canon rates lens optical IS at 5.5 stops under CIPA conditions, and coordinated IS at up to 6 stops with EOS R5 and compatible bodies

Design

Dust and moisture resistant: Yes
Filter diameter: 112 mm
Maximum diameter: 128 mm
Length: 323.4 mm
Weight: 2,590 g
Controls: Separate focus, zoom and clicking control rings; front lens-function buttons and focus-preset controls
Zoom design: Internal zoom maintains barrel length
Filter detail: 112 mm front screw-in thread; no rear drop-in filter
Weather resistance: Dust- and moisture-resistant construction with heat-blocking white paint
Dimensions detail: 128 mm maximum diameter × 323.4 mm length
Weight detail: Approximately 2,590 g, as listed by Canon UK, Canon Japan and Canon Camera Museum
Tripod mount: Rotating tripod collar with support foot
Lens hood: ET-124 included
In the box: Lens, E-112 front cap, RF dust cap, ET-124 hood, LS100-300 soft case and user manual
Release detail: May 2023 first release confirmed by Canon's June 2023 retrospective announcement and Camera Museum

Pros and cons

Pros

Constant f/2.8 aperture across 100–300 mm
Optical stabilisation
Compatible with both RF extenders

Cons

2,590 g lens weight
112 mm front filters

Closest rivals

Model	Mount	Focal length	Max aperture	Stabilisation	Weight	Released
CanonRF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z	Canon RF	70–200 mm	f/2.8	Yes	1,115 g	Nov 2024
CanonRF 75–300mm F4–5.6	Canon RF	75–300 mm	f/4–5.6	No	507 g	May 2025
CanonRF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM	Canon RF	70–200 mm	f/2.8	Yes	1,070 g	Nov 2019

Sources

Photo: Canon Asia Photo Library; official press archive member RF100-300mm f2.8L IS USM Front Slant w hood.jpg; complete supplied canvas and white background retained.

Side profile of the Canon RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM lens: personal.canon.jp/-/media/Project/Canon/CanonJP/Personal/product/camera/rf/rf10…
Canon RF100-300mm F2.8L IS USM Top, official press photograph: Canon Asia Photo Library; official press archive member RF100-300mm f2.8L IS USM Top.jpg; complete supplied canvas and white background retained.
Canon RF100-300mm F2.8L IS USM Front Slant, official press photograph: Canon Asia Photo Library; official press archive member RF100-300mm f2.8L IS USM Front Slant.jpg; complete supplied canvas and white background retained.

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