Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM vs Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM
Canon RF
Neither zoom belongs to the L series, and both take you far into telephoto territory, but they sit in different weight classes. The Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM (September 2021) is a light entry point at 635 g and the first non-L lens to accept Canon's RF 1.4x and 2x extenders. The Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM (November 2023) is Canon's first telephoto zoom to reach 800 mm. It weighs 2050 g, is much longer at 314 mm and comes with a tripod collar.
Both have image stabilization, so the decision is mostly reach against weight.
Which one suits whom?
- 100-400mm: You want a light telephoto for travel and day trips where 400 mm is enough.
- 200-800mm: You photograph birds and wildlife at long distance and accept the weight and length for it.
Key differences
- Focal length: 100-400 mm on the Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM, 200-800 mm on the Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM.
- The Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM is faster: f/5.6 instead of f/6.3, about 0.3 stops more light.
- The Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM is 1,415 g lighter (635 g vs 2,050 g).
- The Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM is 149 mm shorter.
- The Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM focuses closer: from 80 cm instead of 88 cm.
- Filter thread: 67 mm on the Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM, 95 mm on the Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM.
Specs side by side
The key specs of both lenses side by side.
| Lens | Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM | Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 100-400 mm | 200-800 mm |
| Max. aperture | f/5.6-8 | f/6.3-9 |
| Weight | 635 g | 2,050 g |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | 95 mm |
| Min. focus distance | 88 cm | 80 cm |
| Length | 165 mm | 314 mm |
| Autofocus | yes | yes |
| Image stabilization | yes | yes |
Size comparison
- Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM: 165 × 80 mm
- Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM: 314 × 102 mm
Side view to the same scale, length × diameter (without lens hood).