Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens

The Canon RF 100‑500mm f/4.5‑7.1L IS USM is a high‑performance super telephoto zoom lens designed for Canon’s full‑frame RF‑mount mirrorless camera systems. This lens expands photographers’ reach from medium telephoto to extreme telephoto, providing a versatile 100–500 mm focal range that excels for wildlife, sports, aviation, outdoor, and nature photography where distant subjects are the focus. The RF mount’s design — with a large internal diameter and short back focus — enables advanced optical engineering that delivers exceptional image quality and handling relative to its size.

Optically, the lens uses a complex 20‑element, 14‑group construction that includes one Super Ultra‑Low Dispersion (Super UD) element and six Ultra‑Low Dispersion (UD) elements. These elements significantly reduce chromatic aberrations and maintain high sharpness and contrast across the zoom range. The inclusion of Air Sphere Coating (ASC) further minimizes flare and ghosting produced by strong light sources, helping preserve clarity and vibrant colors even in challenging lighting conditions.

Autofocus performance is driven by a Dual Nano USM (Ultrasonic Motor) system that combines precision, speed, and near‑silent operation — making it suitable for both stills and video. The lens supports full‑time manual focus override, allowing photographers to refine focus without switching modes. This smooth and responsive focusing is especially helpful when tracking fast‑moving subjects or capturing fleeting moments in action photography.

Image stabilization is a key strength of this lens. It features a powerful optical Image Stabilizer (IS) capable of up to 5 stops of shake correction on its own, based on CIPA standards. When paired with a compatible Canon camera that includes In‑Body Image Stabilization (IBIS), the coordinated system can deliver up to 6 stops of stabilization, which makes handheld shooting at long focal lengths more practical and helps ensure sharper results in lower light or slower shutter speeds.

The RF 100‑500mm’s zoom range also delivers impressive close‑focus capability. At 100 mm, it can focus as close as 0.9 m (2.95 ft), and at 500 mm the lens achieves a maximum magnification ratio of 0.33x, allowing photographers to fill the frame with distant subjects and capture detailed close‑up imagery without requiring a dedicated macro lens.

Build quality reflects Canon’s professional L‑series standards, including dust‑ and moisture‑resistant construction and fluorine coatings on both the front and rear elements that repel water, oil, and fingerprints — making the lens easier to clean and more reliable in adverse conditions. The lens is finished with Canon’s signature heat‑shield white coating that helps reduce internal temperature rise during prolonged outdoor use under bright sunlight.

Ergonomically, the lens balances well on EOS R bodies despite its super‑telephoto range, with a 77 mm filter thread for standard filters and a rotating zoom ring that offers a natural, smooth feel. A configurable control ring on the lens barrel provides quick access to essential camera settings such as aperture, ISO, or exposure compensation. The included lens hood features a side window that allows specialty filters (such as circular polarizers) to be adjusted without removing the hood.

For added versatility, the lens is also compatible with Canon RF extenders (such as the RF 1.4x and RF 2x), enabling effective focal lengths up to 700 mm or 1000 mm respectively — particularly useful for distant wildlife, sports, or landscape photography.

Overall, the Canon RF 100‑500mm f/4.5‑7.1L IS USM stands out as a high‑quality, super telephoto zoom lens for photographers who need substantial reach without sacrificing image quality, autofocus performance, or stabilization. Its combination of optics, build quality, and handling makes it a strong choice for professionals and advanced enthusiasts who shoot wildlife, sports, aviation, and other action‑oriented subjects.