Cameras Ranked

100–300 Canon RF 100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM

The Canon RF 100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM is a zoom lens for Canon RF (Full frame) that covers 100-300 mm at f/2.8, weighs 2590 g and focuses as close as 1.8 m. Brightest (f/2.8) and heaviest (2590 g) of the 4 full frame Canon RF zoom lenses in its focal range. Among them, it suits you if you shoot in low light or want a blurrier background. If you carry it all day or travel light, you want more reach at the long end, or you want to focus closer at the wide end, every other one that does better on weight, reach, or close focus gives up brightness.

  • f/2.8widest aperture
  • 2590 gweight
  • 17bodies it fits
To one scale. Canon RF 100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM: length 323.4 mm, diameter 128 mm, filter thread 112 mm.323.4 mmø128
To scale from the maker's length and diameter, the mount on the left and the filter thread in yellow at the front. The rings are drawn, not measured.

Compare it with another lensAll Canon RF lenses

To one scale. Canon RF 100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM: length 323.4 mm, diameter 128 mm, filter thread 112 mm.323.4 mmø128
To scale from the maker's length and diameter, the mount on the left and the filter thread in yellow at the front. The rings are drawn, not measured.

Where it sits

4 lenses

Full frame Canon RF zoom lenses in its focal range that state each value, this one included. Each tick is one; the thick one is this one.

Bodies it fits

17 bodies

All cameras, by maker and mount

Specifications

Focal length
100-300 mm1
Widest aperture
f/2.82
Closest focus
1.8 m3
Maximum magnification
0.06x at 100 mm, 0.16x at 300 mm3
Stabilization
5.5 stops3
Mount
Canon RF3
Covers
Full frame
Type
Zoom
Weight
2590 g3
Length
323.4 mm3
Diameter
128 mm3
Filter thread
112 mm3
Elements
233
Groups
183
Aperture blades
93
Weather sealed
Yes3
Focus motor
2x Nano USM3
Hood
ET-124 (included)3
Tripod ring
Yes3

Sources

  1. www.usa.canon.com, cited by Wikidata for Focal length (Wikidata checked Oct 9, 2026; we didn't read this page)
  2. www.canon.de, cited by Wikidata for Widest aperture (Wikidata checked Oct 9, 2026; we didn't read this page)
  3. Canon product specifications, checked Oct 6, 2026
  4. Wikidata: Canon RF 100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM, checked Oct 9, 2026 (CC0 1.0)

Worked out by code, not stated by a source

  • Read from the lens name: each maker marks the sensor size a lens covers (Sony FE/E, Canon RF/RF-S, Nikon DX, Tamron Di III/Di III-A, Sigma DG/DC); every Fujifilm X lens is APS-C and every Micro Four Thirds lens is Four Thirds.
  • Prime or zoom, read from the focal length in the lens name.

Each value is checked automatically against the source it links, on the date shown. How we build these pages

† The makers' own tables, row by row, with labels in our plain words (translated where the maker's page isn't in English); each row's numbers are checked against the page it links.

Full specifications†

Show all 17 rows
Full specificationsCanon RF 100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM3
Diagonal angle of view24°00′ - 8°15′ (Diagonal)
Horizontal angle of view20°00′ - 6°50′ (Horizontal)
Vertical angle of view14°00′ - 4°35′ (Vertical)
Closest focusing distance1.8 m / 5.91 ft
Lens construction18 groups, 23 elements
Diameter and length128.0 mm × 323.4 mm (Approx.)
Drive system2x Nano USM
Filter size112 mm
Max magnification at 100mm0.06x (at 100mm)
Max magnification at 300mm0.16x (at 300mm)
Minimum aperture22
Diaphragm blades9
Anti-dust and moistureYes
Weight2590 g (Approx.)
Included lens capLens Cap E-112 & Lens Dust Cap RF (included)
Included lens hoodET-124 (included)
Included lens bagLS100-300 (included)

How the pick works

  1. Widest aperture3

    Lower wins once they are 0.3 apart.

  2. Weight2

    Lower wins from a 12% gap.

  3. Focal length (longest)2

    Higher wins from a 15% gap.

  4. Focal length (widest)2

    Lower wins once they are 2 mm apart.

  5. Optical stabilization1

    Having it wins.

  6. Closest focus, wide end1

    Lower wins from a 15% gap. Compared only between lenses of the same focal length (widest).

  7. Filter thread0.5

    Lower wins once they are 5 mm apart.

  8. Lead for a pick1

Our pick or our take adds up the importance of each real difference, with these importances and thresholds: a gap smaller than its row's threshold is too close to call and counts as the same. They are our editorial choice, not a measurement, the same on every page, and they never read prices, sales or who sells it.

Paid placements0

How we rank, in full