Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM
Announced April 20, 2023
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Exceptional
The Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM is a high-performance professional telephoto zoom that delivers exceptional image sharpness and fast autofocus across its entire range. While it is a significant investment in both price and physical size, it serves as a versatile, top-tier tool for sports and wildlife photographers.
Weighted from 24 reviewer scores
Pros
- Fast, silent, and accurate autofocus performance
- Exceptional image sharpness and quality throughout the zoom range
- Highly versatile zoom range with a constant f/2.8 aperture
- Effective optical image stabilization
- Durable, weather-sealed professional build quality
Cons
- Very high price point
- Large and heavy physical footprint
- Performance limitations and image quality loss with teleconverters
- Long minimum focus distance limits close-up capabilities
- Tripod collar lacks integrated Arca-Swiss compatibility
- Launch price $9,499 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 100-300mm f/2.8
- Mount & coverage Canon RF Full-Frame
- Stabilization Optical IS, 5.5 stops (CIPA)
- Close focus 1.8 m (0.16x)
- Filter thread 112mm
- Autofocus motor Dual Nano USM
- Weight & size 2590g · 128 x 323.4 mm (5.04 x 12.73 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 24 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
Is this product missing a reputable review? Share a link to a review article or YouTube video for consideration.
- PetaPixel 9.5/10
Should you buy it? Yes. This lens is almost perfect and very desirable to have.
-
The RF 100-300mm F2.8 is an extraordinarily high-performing professional-grade telephoto zoom lens. This lens provides phenominal image sharpness at f/2.8 and remains sharp with extenders mounted.
-
[T]his is exactly the kind of top-level build quality and functionality you would expect of a lens in this price range, and it's a dream come true to use.
-
This thing is an absolute beast, captures razor-sharp images, and does exactly what I needed it to do on a wonderful trip to Katmai.
-
If you can justify the cost, though, the RF 100-300mm F2.8L IS USM is undoubtedly the best telephoto zoom lens for Canon's full-frame mirrorless camera range, and one that we really don't want to send back...
-
So at the end of the day, it's an amazing lens. If you can afford it and you can justify it, absolutely pre-order and buy it.
-
Image quality is to die for, more like you’d expect from a collection of top-notch primes.
-
[I]t seems Canon zoom design created an amazing lens with great flexibility, but the tradeoff was a bit of extra size, extra price tag, and also the loss of image quality when using with the teleconverters.
-
I love the images that I captured in this shoot. I love the compression, I love the narrow depth of field, I love the unusual angle.
-
If you are really looking for the highest end of the super-tellies in this focal range, look no further.
-
Yeah it's expensive, it's very expensive, but it's good.
-
[T]his lens is simply fantastic as a 300 2.8.
-
It is a beautiful lens, to be fair.
- Pictureline 10/10
There's going to be reasons why it's not the best lens for some people, but for me who does a lot of different sports photography, videography, and a wide variety of event coverage, 10 out of 10.
-
Using the RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM was a great experience.
-
The RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM is a big lens ideal for shooting sports and any kind of action in any light.
-
The Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM is a joy to use.
-
After a week of puffins on Grímsey, I would put the Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM ahead of any other telephoto zoom Canon has made.
-
Obviously, this lens with this price isn't going to be for everyone, but if you do want a very serious, very, very capable lens that's going to be able to do all kinds of things for you, right?
-
[I]t's an extremely flexible lens, and this is why it became my favorite lens.
-
In fact, it's as bright as many prime lenses, but with the added benefit of it being a zoom.
-
So anyway, u nothing really but good things to say about this lens. I absolutely love it.
-
Yeah, for me, I would give that probably a good N out of 10, I think.
-
Long story short, I now absolutely love this lens.
