This independent review site earns affiliate commission (at no cost to you) when provided links are used to make any purchase
Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Lens Compared to the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM Lens
| Specifications | Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Lens | Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM Lens |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
| Year Introduced | 2021 | 2016 |
| Mounts On | Full-Frame, APS-C | Full-Frame, APS-C |
| Lenses / Groups | 12/9 | 17/12 |
| Angle of View: Diagonal | 24° – 6°10" | 34°–8°15’ |
| Angle of View: Horizontal | 29º - 6º 50' | |
| Angle of View: Vertical | 19º 30' - 4º 35' | |
| Aperture | ||
| Aperture Range - Wide / Long | f/5.6-32 / f/8.0-45 | f/4-32 / f/5.6-45 |
| Aperture Max by Focal Length | 100-122mm = f/5.6 123-155mm = f/6.3 156-258mm = f/7.1 259-400mm = f/8.0 |
70-76mm = f/4.0 77-105mm = f/4.5 106-175mm = f/5.0 176-300mm = f/5.6 |
| Number of Aperture Blades | 9 | 9 |
| Rounded Aperture? | Y | Y |
| Weight | ||
| Manufacturer Specification Weight | 22.4 oz (635g) | 25.1 oz (710g) |
| Actual Weight | 22.3 oz (632.9g) | 24.8 oz (703g) |
| Lens Hood Weight | 2 oz (57.5g) | 2 oz (56g) |
| In-Use Weight | 24.4 oz (690.4g) | 26.8 oz (759g) |
| Size | ||
| Manufacturer Spec Size (DxL) | 3.13 x 6.48” (79.5 x 164.7mm) | 3.15 x 5.73” (80 x 145.5mm) |
| Measured Size (DxL) | 3.13 x 6.76” (80 x 171.6mm) | 3.13 x 6.03” (79.6 x 153.2mm) |
| Max Length at Full Extension | 9.75” (247.6mm) | 8.78” (223mm) |
| Internal Zoom? / Extends with Zoom? | N / Y | N / Y |
| Zoom Extension Length | 2.99” (76mm) | 2.75” (69.8mm) |
| Internal Focusing? / Extends with Focusing? | Y / N | Y / N |
| Lens Hood Size (DxL) | 3.76 x 3.19” (95.6 x 80.9mm) | 3.76 x 3.18” (95.5 x 80.7mm) |
| Lens Length with Hood (Min-Max) | 9.69 - 12.68” (246 - 322mm) | 8.92 - 11.67” (226.6 - 296.4mm) |
| Size of Rings: Focus / Zoom | 0.98” / 2.5” (24.8mm / 63.5mm) | 0.68” / 2.63” (17.3mm / 66.8mm) |
| Filter Size | 67mm UV ► CP ► | 67mm UV ► CP ► |
| Front Element (Filter Mount) Rotates | N | N |
| Focus | ||
| AF Motor Type | Nano USM | Nano USM |
| Full Time Manual Focus | Y | Y |
| Focus Ring Rotation | 1260° | >360° |
| Focus Limiter? / Focus Limiter Ranges | N | N |
| Distance Scale? / Type | N | Y / LCD |
| Close Focus | ||
| Spec Min Focus Distance (Wide / Long) | 34.65” / 47.24” (880mm / 1200mm) | 47.24” (1200mm) |
| Tested Min Focus Distance (Wide / Long) | 41.89” / 40.47” (1064mm / 1028mm) | 41.02” / 45.47” (1042mm / 1155mm) |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.41x | 0.25x |
| Magnification Range with 12mm Ext Tube | 0.25-0.17x | |
| Magnification Range with 25mm Ext Tube | 0.47-0.38x | |
| Features | ||
| Zoom Ring Rotation | 90° | 90° |
| Tripod Ring Included? / Removable? | N | N |
| Zoom Ring Lock Switch? | Y | Y |
| Lens Hood Included / Model? | N / ET-74B Buy ► | N / ET-74B Buy ► |
| Weather Sealed? / Filter Required? | N | N |
| Image Stabilization? / Stops? / Tripod Sensing? | Y / 5.5 / | Y / 4 / |
| Extender Compatible? | Y | N |
| Case Included? / Type? | N / LP-1224 Buy ► | N / |
| 47.25" x 31.5" Subject Framing Distance | 100mm = 11.48' 135mm = 15.30' 200mm = 22.43' 300mm = 33.68' 23.62" x 15.75" Target: 400mm = 22.59' 560mm = 30.11' 11.81" x 7.87" Target: 800mm = 21.46' |
70mm = 7.96' 100mm = 11.4' 135mm = 15.48' 200mm = 22.52' 300mm = 32.36' |
| 1200mm x 800mm Subject Framing Distance | 100mm = 3500mm 135mm = 4663mm 200mm = 6837mm 300mm = 10265mm 600mm x 400mm Target: 400mm = 6885mm 560mm = 9178mm 300mm x 200mm Target: 800mm = 6542mm |
70mm = 2427mm 100mm = 3475mm 135mm = 4719mm 200mm = 6863mm 300mm = 9864mm |
| Review | Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Lens | Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM Lens |
Buy ► 
|
Buy ►
| |
| Rent ► | Rent ► | |
Recommended Retailers
- B&H Photo(strongly recommended)
- Adorama
- Amazon.com
- Canon USA
- Canon USA (refurbished)
Wex Photographic
Camera Canada- Check the used inventory at
B&H | KEH | Adorama | MPB
Rent it Here
Can you help right now?
Please share this page!
