RF 100–500mm F4.5–7.1L IS USM

Released August 2020

A full-frame RF super-telephoto zoom with Dual Nano USM autofocus, optical image stabilisation and a removable tripod collar.

Mount: Canon RF
Focal length: 100–500 mm
Max aperture: f/4.5–7.1
Stabilisation: Yes
Weight: 1,370 g

What reviewers say

Both reviews praise sharp images, effective stabilisation and robust construction, while noting the narrow long-end aperture and high price. Photography Blog finds autofocus quick on its EOS R. Digital Camera World reports slower action focusing on that body before later firmware, but much better tracking on the EOS R5, and weaker corner sharpness at full zoom.

From photographyblog.com and digitalcameraworld.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Optics

Lens type: Zoom
Focal length: 100–500 mm
Maximum aperture: f/4.5–7.1
Minimum aperture: f/32–51
Optical construction: 20 elements in 14 groups
Special elements: Six UD elements and one Super UD element
Coatings: ASC anti-reflection coating, fluorine coating and heat-shield barrel paint
Aperture detail: Maximum f/4.5 at 100 mm to f/7.1 at 500 mm; minimum f/32 at 100 mm to f/51 at 500 mm. Digital Camera World's f/54 table entry is inconsistent with maker specifications and is not used
Diaphragm: Nine blades with circular aperture
Angle of view: Full-frame horizontal 20°–4°, vertical 14°–2°45′ and diagonal 24°–5°

Mount and compatibility

Mounts: Canon RF
Image circle: Full frame
Compatibility: Canon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle. Distinct from EF100–400mm F4.5–5.6L IS II USM and RF100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM
Teleconverter support: RF1.4× and RF2× compatible only with lens set to 300–500 mm; maker RF2× FAQ requires extension beyond 300 mm before attachment and restricts subsequent zoom operation to 300–500 mm

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus: Yes
Minimum focus distance: 0.9 m
Maximum magnification: 0.33×
Optical stabilisation: Yes
Autofocus detail: Dual Nano USM autofocus with electronically controlled floating focus; full-time manual focus. Digital Camera World's initial EOS R action test preceded the firmware improvements it identifies, and its EOS R5 tracking test was substantially better
Focus distance detail: Maker minimum focus distance 0.9 m at 100 mm; Photography Blog reports 1.2 m at 500 mm. AF/MF mode distinction unpublished and omitted
Magnification detail: Maker maximum magnification 0.33× at 500 mm; no unpublished AF/MF distinction inferred
Stabilisation detail: Lens optical IS rated five stops with EOS R at 500 mm under CIPA; coordinated EOS R5 body and lens IS rated six stops with required firmware, separately from lens-only rating

Design

Dust and moisture resistant: Yes
Filter diameter: 77 mm
Maximum diameter: 93.8 mm
Length: 207.6 mm
Weight: 1,370 g
Controls: Zoom and focus rings, customisable control ring, adjustable zoom torque, AF/MF switch, Full or 3 m–infinity focus limiter and IS on/off/mode switches
Zoom design: Extending zoom barrel; dimensions measured retracted
Filter detail: 77 mm front filter thread
Weather resistance: Dust and moisture resistant construction requires attachment to a camera; does not completely prevent dust or water ingress and is not waterproof
Dimensions detail: Approximately 93.8 mm maximum diameter × 207.6 mm length, retracted
Weight detail: Maker Japan gives 1,370 g excluding tripod collar, which weighs approximately 160 g. Photography Blog and Digital Camera World list 1,530 g with collar; UK store's unexplained 2,250 g conflicts with the complete maker table and is not used
Tripod mount: Removable rotating tripod collar, approximately 160 g; shown attached in the maker press photograph
Lens hood: ET-83F (WIII)
In the box: UK maker store lists lens, ET-83F (WIII) hood, E-77 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and LZ1328 case
Release detail: Canon Japan's updated original announcement gives first sale 27 August 2020, consistent with Camera Museum marketed August. Region-specific retail day; exact UK first sale not inferred. Co-sold telephoto zooms are alternatives, with no inferred successor link

Pros and cons

Pros

100–500 mm zoom range
Optical image stabilisation
Dust and moisture resistant construction

Cons

f/7.1 maximum aperture at 500 mm
RF extenders restrict zoom operation to 300–500 mm
1,370 g without tripod collar

Closest rivals

Model	Mount	Focal length	Max aperture	Stabilisation	Weight	Released
CanonRF 100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM	Canon RF	100–400 mm	f/5.6–8	Yes	635 g	Oct 2021
CanonRF 75–300mm F4–5.6	Canon RF	75–300 mm	f/4–5.6	No	507 g	May 2025
CanonRF 100–300mm F2.8L IS USM	Canon RF	100–300 mm	f/2.8	Yes	2,590 g	May 2023

Sources

Photo: Canon Asia Photo Library; official press archive member RF100-500mm f4.5-7.1L IS USM_Front_Slant.jpg; complete supplied canvas and white background retained.

RF100-500mm f4.5-7.1L IS USM Slant: Canon Asia Photo Library; official press archive member RF100-500mm f4.5-7.1L IS USM_Slant.jpg; complete supplied canvas and white background retained.
EOS R5 w RF100-500mm f4.5-7.1L IS USM: Canon Asia Photo Library; official press archive member EOS R5 w RF100-500mm f4.5-7.1L IS USM.jpg; complete supplied canvas and white background retained.
RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM native stabiliser-mode controls, frame-filling hardware close-up: asia.canon/media/image/2020/07/07/83718c0364144a23868b0e2a6f938be6_RF100-500mm+…
RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM with supplied hood, isolated slant view: asia.canon/media/image/2020/07/07/c573e0d6992549daa41ec907a8a4debe_White+Paint+…

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