Canon L RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM
The 100-500mm zoom range, dual Nano USM autofocus, and 5-stop image stabilization provide sharp, steady handheld telephoto reach. Its modest f/4.5-7.1 maximum aperture enables a compact, balanced design that is easy to carry for extended walkaround use, while the 77mm filter thread adds versatility. This lens is ideal for wildlife and field sports photographers who need reliable reach and fast, quiet AF without a tripod.
Focal length 100-500mm
Aperture f/100
Mount Canon RF
stabilization Yes
af type Dual Nano USM
lens type zoom
31 Overall Score
Price $2,660
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong stabilization (97th percentile) 97th
- Strong af (94th percentile) 94th
- Strong versatility (93rd percentile) 93rd
Cons
- Below average aperture (1st percentile)
- Below average bokeh (1st percentile)
- Below average macro (13th percentile)
- Below average optical (19th percentile)
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 100 |
| Focal Length Max | 500 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/100 |
| Min Aperture | f/4.5 |
| Constant | No |
Build
| Mount | Canon RF |
| Format | full-frame |
| Filter Thread | 77 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Dual Nano USM |
| Stabilization | Yes |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Canon L RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 100-500mm | 28-300mm | 18-50mm | 12-35mm | 18-135mm | 17-28mm |
| Max Aperture | f/100 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/2.8 |
| Mount | Canon RF | Sony E | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E | Nikon Z |
| Stabilization | true | true | false | true | true | false |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | true | true | false | true |
| Weight (g) | - | 590 | 290 | 306 | 326 | 450 |
| AF Type | Dual Nano USM | VXD linear motor | stepping motor | Autofocus | Linear motor | Stepping Motor |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon L RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM | 93.5 | 0.5 | 52.8 | 13 | 18.7 | 0.5 | 93.4 | 20.1 | 96.7 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 97.7 | 81.1 | 63.5 | 84.8 | 96.5 | 69.3 | 97.9 | 51 | 80.8 |
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 85.4 | 84.6 | 85.1 | 90.7 | 81.1 | 86.5 | 78.6 | 90.1 | 35.6 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 54.1 | 84.6 | 84.3 | 49.5 | 85.6 | 86.5 | 80.7 | 85.4 | 96.7 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 97.7 | 78.6 | 71.3 | 38.8 | 77.4 | 80.3 | 95.9 | 90.1 | 80.8 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 85.4 | 89.2 | 74.1 | 84.8 | 87.4 | 86.5 | 67.9 | 66.7 | 35.6 |
Price
Value & Pricing
From $2,660
Newegg 1 offer From $2,660
We started tracking prices for this product on May 1, 2026. The chart appears once we have more data.
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
