Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Announced July 9, 2020
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
Strong
The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM is a highly versatile and sharp telephoto zoom that excels in sports and wildlife photography; that said, its high price and variable aperture may limit its appeal for budget-conscious users or those shooting in dim light. While it offers impressive image stabilization and fast autofocus on newer R-series bodies, the lens design imposes specific restrictions on teleconverter usage and zoom range.
Weighted from 27 reviewer scores
Pros
- Excellent image sharpness and optical quality
- Highly effective image stabilization
- Versatile focal range and compact, lightweight design
- Robust L-series weather-sealed construction
- Fast, quiet, and accurate Dual Nano USM autofocus
Cons
- Expensive pricing
- Narrow maximum aperture limits performance in dim lighting
- Restrictive teleconverter compatibility limited to 300-500mm range
- Ergonomic issues with control ring placement and zoom mechanics
- Lack of Arca-Swiss tripod foot and function buttons
- Launch price $2,699 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1
- Mount & coverage Canon RF Full-Frame
- Stabilization Optical IS
- Close focus 90 cm (0.33x)
- Filter thread 77mm
- Autofocus motor Nano ultrasonic
- Weight & size 1365g (3 lb 0.1 oz) · 93.8 x 207.6 mm (3.69 x 8.17 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 27 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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What’s not to like? Teleconverters will only work when the zoom is set between 300 and 500mm which is inconvenient for transportation.
- OpticalLimits 8/10
The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 USM L IS is another impressive product in the Canon lineup and we expected no less.
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As super telephoto zooms go, the RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM is a well-made example that returns excellent image quality. [...] But these points aside it’s an otherwise welcome, if not expensive addition to the RF-mount lens line-up.
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Many referred to 2014 as the "Year of the Lens", and the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens was one of many 2014-announced models.
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If Canon had priced the RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM somewhere near $2500, I think that most people would consider it a great value.
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I believe this is the best, most accomplished, and finely tuned super telephoto zoom lens probably ever made, and that's just as well because it costs nearly three grand.
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The Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM is a incredibly capable but also incredibly expensive telephoto zoom lens.
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I'm really happy with the files off of the R6 and I'm really happy with this lens for running and gunning to grab shots that I need, whether they're close or at a distance.
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The Canon RF 100-500mm is a superb addition to the rapidly expanding range of RF-mount lenses for Canon's EOS R-series cameras.
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The Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM brings big zoom power for sports and nature photographers in the RF system, but does its best work in brighter light.
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With premium glass, snappy autofocus (albeit only when paired with the EOS R5 or R6 bodies) and a longer reach than the popular EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM DSLR lens, the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L is Canon’s first super-telephoto zoom for the native RF mount.
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I've never had a lens that had this sort of flexibility and reach at the same time and also delivered such amazingly nice image quality, and even with the extenders this lens delivered nice quality.
- Photo Review 8.9/10
The RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM has few rivals in its class when it comes to overall performance.
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[M]y first impressions are nothing but good vibes with this thing.
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[T]his is one of the best zoom lenses I have ever used. The strength, of course, its autofocus is very fast, its IBIS is great, it's extremely sharp, it's very light, it's very versatile, it can just jack of all trades, do just about everything.
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For me, the focal range is perfect, the image stabilization is insane, the AF performance has been amazing, and overall the optical quality is just stunning.
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The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM is not the most light-sensitive telezoom lens available, but you will have a very versatile and capable lens.
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This is the best dedicated telephoto for Canon's full-frame mirrorless cameras. It's light and sharp and flexible.
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After using this lens for more than two years, I consider the Canon RF 100-500 f/4.5-7.1 L IS lens a pretty perfect all-rounder for wildlife photography.
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As with the EOS R5 that I also reviewed recently, the 100-500mm lens is probably one of the best lenses that Canon has ever made.
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[I] really like this lens. The focusing is incredibly fast and it is very sharp from 100 mils all the way up to 500 mils.
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The Canon RF 100-500mm telephoto lens is my all-time favourite lens and for a first RF version, it’s more-than-solid. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t small things that could be improved on a second iteration.
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In my short time with this telephoto lens I can honestly say that it lived up to the hype, and is almost certainly the most versatile and accomplished super telephoto, which I have ever had the pleasure of shooting with.
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I think the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM is a very, very good all around lens if you want to do sometimes landscapes, you want to do some like amphibians, reptiles, some portrait of birds, also showed you more the environment, then for me it's a very good lens.
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If you're a professional photographer and you want the best image quality and the best optics for a fairly small size, then you just can't go wrong with this Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM. This is by far the best Canon full telephoto lens on the market ever.
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[W]onderful lens, absolutely super super sharp, autofocus is unbelievable, super fast, right on par with any of my primes, no issues with the autofocus whatsoever.
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If you're a wildlife filmmaker or photographer, then you're holding a great lens here.
