Which Canon Supertelephoto Zoom Is Right for You?

The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM is a highly respected lens, offering some of the company's best performance and image quality, but at nearly $3,000, it is a rather expensive option. The RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM offers a similar focal length range at a price not even a quarter that of the 100-500mm, making it an intriguing alternative. How does it hold up? This great video comparison takes a look at both lenses to help you decide. 

Coming to you from PhotoRec TV, this great video comparison takes a look at the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM and how it compares to the RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM lens. No doubt, the 100-500mm is going to offer better image quality than the 100-400mm, but the latter is no slouch, and at $649, it is quite a nice deal. Many photographers might be a bit wary of its relatively narrow maximum apertures, but it is worth noting that modern cameras generally do quite well with higher ISOs. On top of that, it is worth considering how portable the 100-400mm is as well. Check out the video above for the full rundown. 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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2 Comments

The 100-400mm pairs nicely with the 2x TC.

Thanks for the validation. I've paired my RF 100-400 with an R7 (crop sensor) body. It's equivalent to adding a 1.4 teleconverter without losing a stop. And, as stated in the video, noise reduction software now available for post processing works wonders.