Cameras Ranked

100–400 Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM

The Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM is a zoom lens for Canon RF (Full frame) that covers 100-400 mm at f/5.6-8, weighs 635 g and focuses as close as 1.2 m at 100 mm, 1.05 m at 400 mm. Dimmest (f/5.6) of the 4 full frame Canon RF zoom lenses in its focal range. Among them, it suits you if you carry it all day or travel light, or you want more reach at the long end. If you shoot in low light or want a blurrier background, each other one that does better on brightness gives up at least one of weight and reach.

  • f/5.6-8widest aperture
  • 635 gweight
  • 17bodies it fits
To one scale. Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM: length 164.7 mm, diameter 79.5 mm, filter thread 67 mm.164.7 mmø79.5
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 the Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USMAll Canon RF lenses

To one scale. Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM: length 164.7 mm, diameter 79.5 mm, filter thread 67 mm.164.7 mmø79.5
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

Compared with

3 comparisons

Specifications

Focal length
100-400 mm1
Widest aperture
f/5.6-82
Closest focus
1.2 m at 100 mm, 1.05 m at 400 mm3
Maximum magnification
0.09x at 100 mm, 0.41x at 400 mm3
Stabilization
5.5 stops3
Mount
Canon RF3
Covers
Full frame
Type
Zoom
Weight
635 g3
Length
164.7 mm3
Diameter
79.5 mm3
Filter thread
67 mm3
On sale from
Oct 20214
Elements
123
Groups
93
Aperture blades
93
Focus motor
Nano USM3
Hood
ET-74B (sold separately)3
Extenders
Extender RF1.4x, Extender RF2x3

Sources

  1. www.canon.at, cited by Wikidata for Focal length (Wikidata checked Oct 9, 2026; we didn't read this page)
  2. Wikidata, checked Oct 9, 2026 (CC0 1.0)
  3. Canon product specifications, checked Oct 6, 2026
  4. global.canon, cited by Wikidata for On sale from (Wikidata checked Oct 9, 2026; we didn't read this page)

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.

More

Full specifications†

Show all 18 rows
Full specificationsCanon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM3
Diagonal angle of view24°00′ - 6°10′
Horizontal angle of view20°00′ - 5°10′
Vertical angle of view14°00′ - 3°30′
Closest focusing distance1.2 m / 3.94 ft (at 100mm)
Closest focusing distance0.88 m / 2.89 ft (at 200mm)
Closest focusing distance1.05 m / 3.44 ft (at 400mm)
Lens construction9 groups, 12 elements
Diameter and length79.5 mm × 164.7 mm (Approx.)
Drive systemNano USM
Filter size67 mm
Max magnification0.09x (at 100mm)
Max magnification0.41x (at 400mm)
Minimum aperture32 - 45
Diaphragm blades9
Weight635 g (Approx.)
Included lens capLens Cap E-67 II & Lens Dust Cap RF (included)
Lens hoodLens Hood ET-74B (sold separately)
Lens caseLens Case LP1224 (sold separately)

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