Cameras Ranked

100–500 Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM

The Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM is a zoom lens for Canon RF (Full frame) that covers 100-500 mm at f/4.5-7.1, weighs 1370 g and focuses as close as 0.9 m at 100 mm, 1.2 m at 500 mm. Longest reach (500 mm) of the 4 full frame Canon RF zoom lenses in its focal range. Among them, it suits you if you want more reach at the long end, or you want to focus closer at the wide end. If you carry it all day or travel light, or you shoot in low light or want a blurrier background, every other one that does better on weight, or brightness gives up reach.

  • f/4.5-7.1widest aperture
  • 1370 gweight
  • 17bodies it fits
To one scale. Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM: length 207.6 mm, diameter 93.8 mm, filter thread 77 mm.207.6 mmø93.8
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 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USMAll Canon RF lenses

To one scale. Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM: length 207.6 mm, diameter 93.8 mm, filter thread 77 mm.207.6 mmø93.8
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

2 comparisons

Specifications

Focal length
100-500 mm1
Widest aperture
f/4.5-7.12
Closest focus
0.9 m at 100 mm, 1.2 m at 500 mm3
Maximum magnification
0.12x at 100 mm, 0.33x at 500 mm3
Stabilization
6 stops (with compatible cameras)3
Mount
Canon RF3
Covers
Full frame
Type
Zoom
Weight
1370 g3
Length
207.6 mm (retracted)3
Diameter
93.8 mm3
Filter thread
77 mm3
Elements
203
Groups
143
Aperture blades
93
Weather sealed
Yes3
Focus motor
2x Nano USM3
Hood
ET-83F (WIII)3
Extends when zooming
Yes3
Extenders
Extender RF1.4x, Extender RF2x3

Sources

  1. www.canon.at (canon.at/lenses/rf-100-500mm-f-4-5-7-1-l-is-usm), cited by Wikidata for Focal length, Widest aperture (Wikidata checked Oct 9, 2026; we didn't read this page)
  2. www.canon.at (canon.at/lenses/rf-100-500mm-f-4-5-7-1-l-is-usm/specifications), cited by Wikidata for Focal length, 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 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 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.

More

Full specifications†

Show all 20 rows
Full specificationsCanon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM3
Diagonal angle of view24° – 5°
Horizontal angle of view20° – 4°
Vertical angle of view14° – 2°45′
Closest focusing distance0.9 / 2.95 (at 100 mm)
Closest focusing distance1 / 3.28 (at 300 mm)
Closest focusing distance1.2 / 3.94 (at 500 mm)
Lens construction14-20
Diameter and length93.8 x 207.6 (Retracted)
Diameter and length93.8 x 297.6 (Fully Extended)
Drive system2x Nano USM
Filter size77
Max magnification0.12 (at 100 mm)
Max magnification0.33 (at 500 mm)
Minimum aperture32 - 54
Diaphragm blades9
Anti-dust and moistureSupported
Weight1370
Lens capE-77 II
Lens hoodET-83F (WIII)
Lens bagLZ1328

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