Selecting between the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM and the RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM can really feel like making an attempt to decide on between energy and practicality. One provides you attain that borders on absurd, whereas the opposite makes each outing lighter and simpler. The choice isn’t nearly specs; it’s about the way you shoot and what sort of day you need within the discipline.
Coming to you from Jan Wegener, this detailed video breaks down the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM and the Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM after intensive use. Wegener owns and frequently shoots with every one, generally facet by facet, so the insights come from actual discipline expertise. The 100-500mm stands out for its dealing with and construct high quality, because it’s smaller, lighter, and simpler to function. You possibly can take away the tripod foot, the zoom motion is clean, and it slides simply right into a backpack. The 200-800mm, then again, feels bulkier and heavier, with a protracted zoom throw and a hard and fast lens foot that provides to the majority. Nonetheless, the 200-800mm wins on worth and attain. At round $2,000, it’s roughly a thousand {dollars} cheaper, and it delivers a local 800mm with no need a teleconverter.
The value distinction issues much less when you think about flexibility. With the Canon RF 1.4x Extender, the 100-500mm can attain 700mm, however as soon as hooked up, you lose a part of the zoom vary. The teleconverter can’t be used beneath 300mm, so the sensible zoom window shrinks to 420–700 mm. The 200-800mm doesn’t have that drawback and nonetheless performs effectively even when prolonged additional. You should utilize the 1.4x on it, hitting 1,120mm with out the extreme high quality loss you may count on. That type of attain makes it ultimate when small, distant topics are your focus.
Wegener additionally highlights the much less measurable facet: enjoyable. The 200-800mm usually turns into his go-to when he needs a simple, carefree shoot. It’s lengthy sufficient to deal with virtually something within the discipline and nonetheless sufficiently small to handhold. Even in comparison with his Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS USM, the 200-800mm feels much less conspicuous, which helps in crowded or public spots. However the 100-500mm pulls forward in versatility. The 100mm extensive finish makes it extra helpful for environmental scenes or topics which can be nearer. It additionally focuses extra intently, so it could actually act as an emergency macro lens when wanted.
In pure picture high quality, the 100-500mm is sharper and cleaner, with higher coatings and fewer flaring. Cropped comparisons, although, blur the distinction—actually. When you match framing, the 200-800mm usually appears to be like simply pretty much as good or higher since you aren’t cropping as arduous. Autofocus and picture stabilization are strong in each, however the 100-500mm is quicker, particularly in low gentle. It’s weather-sealed to Canon’s L-series customary, whereas the 200-800mm’s sealing is extra restricted. Sturdiness experiences have raised eyebrows too, as some customers have skilled the 200-800mm breaking below influence, one thing remarkable with the 100-500mm. Try the video above for the total rundown from Wegener.
