Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens Overview

The Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens is an ideal zoom lens for photographers looking to shoot subjects far away, like wildlife or sports. Its powerful zoom range allows you to get close up on distant subjects without having to physically move closer yourself. At the 100mm end, things will look larger and more detailed in your photos. When zoomed to 500mm, tiny birds and athletes on a field will fill the frame. This makes it great for capturing frame-filling portraits of subjects you can’t get very near to.

The lens also has image stabilisation, which helps counteract normal handshakes when taking photos. This means you can use slower shutter speeds than normal and still get sharp, clear shots. So if you’re photographing fast action like runners or birds in flight, you can freeze the motion nicely. The stabilisation also aids when recording video footage through the lens, leading to a smooth, wobble-free video.

With a maximum aperture range of f/4.5-7.1, the 100-500mm lens performs well in various lighting too. At 100mm you can shoot at f/4.5, letting in more light than most other super telephoto zoom lenses. This comes in handy when shooting in lower-light situations. As you zoom in further, the aperture narrows to f/7.1 at the 500mm end. But coupled with the stabilisation, you can still take properly exposed photos and videos without needing extremely bright conditions.

So if you want the flexibility to shoot anything from portraits to far-away wildlife with a single lens, the Canon 100-500mm is an excellent choice that is also easy to handhold and travel with. Its versatile focal lengths, effective stabilisation, and f/4.5 max aperture open up creative possibilities for all types of photographers.

Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens Key Features:

• 5x super-telephoto zoom range
• Optical image stabilisation up to 5 stops
• Rotating zoom ring for comfortable framing
• Fluorine coating repels moisture and smudges
• Dual Nano USM focus motor for fast AF
• 9-blade circular aperture design
• L-series weather-resistant construction
• Compatible with Canon RF mount cameras
• Weighs just 1,530g

Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens User Benefits:

• Shoot distant subjects like wildlife tightly framed
• Capture fast action with sharp handheld shots
• Smooth convenient zooming to track moving subjects
• Easy cleaning of the front lens element
• Fast precise autofocus for stills and video
• Beautiful background blur for portraits
• Use confidently in harsh weather conditions
• Pair with EOS R cameras for best performance
• Comfortable to handhold for extended periods

Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens Features In Detail

Powerful 5x Zoom Range

The RF 100-500mm lens has an incredibly versatile super-telephoto zoom range equivalent to 158-800mm in full-frame 35mm terms. With a wide maximum focal length of 500mm, you can tightly frame distant subjects like wildlife, athletes, performers on stage, and more. The 100mm wide end is great for portraits and landscapes. Having this entire 100-500mm focal range packed into one lens gives you exceptional compositional flexibility.

Effective Optical Image Stabilisation

Canon’s top-tier image stabilisation can provide up to 5 stops of compensation, a hugely impactful advantage when shooting at long focal lengths handheld. This lets you use much slower shutter speeds than normally possible without blur from camera shake. You’ll get sharp, steady shots and videos even when zoomed to 500mm without needing a tripod. This is hugely beneficial when tracking moving subjects.

Precise Dual Nano USM Autofocus

A defining L-series lens feature, the Nano USM focus motor drives speedy, virtually silent autofocus that suits both photo and video shooting. Ideal when tracking erratic motion, this accurate and consistent AF pairs perfectly with Canon’s class-leading Dual Pixel CMOS AF for excellent still and video focussing performance.

Weather-Resistant L-Series Build

The RF 100-500mm’s robust design meets Canon’s prestigious L-series standards for outstanding build quality and weather sealing. The lens features numerous gaskets and seals making it water and dust-resistant, plus a durable body composed of high-grade plastics and metals. It will continue delivering outstanding optical performance even in wet or dusty environments.

Circular 9-Blade Aperture

The clever lens aperture employs 9 circular blades to produce beautiful background blur in out-of-focus areas of images. This bokeh effect enhances subject isolation for aesthetically pleasing portraits and adds dynamic visual flair that complements the super-telephoto reach.

Fluorine Coating

The front and rear lens surfaces boast a special fluorine coating that repels oil and water, making it easier to wipe off any grime like raindrops or sea spray from the front element. Fluorine’s non-stick properties also prevent fingerprints and smudges from building up through prolonged outdoor use.

Superior L-Series Optical Performance

With 17 elements in 12 groups, the optical construction generates stunning lifelike detail and vivid colours with minimal aberrations. Utilising specialised UD and Super UD glass reduces colour fringing for excellent sharpness across the frame, even when wide open. Obtain superior image quality from edge to edge exceeding Canon’s high L-series standards.

Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens Compatibility

The Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens is compatible with the following Canon EOS R series mirrorless cameras:

• EOS R
• EOS RP
• EOS R5
• EOS R6
• EOS R3
• EOS R5 C
• EOS R7
• EOS R8
• EOS R10
• EOS R100
• EOS R50
• EOS R6 Mark II

Photography Styles For The Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens

• Wildlife Photography – Get intensely close framing of skittish animals and birds from a safe distance without disturbing their natural behaviour.
• Sports Photography – Tightly crop distant athletes on the field and track their movement easily with the powerful 5x zoom range.
• Aviation Photography – Photograph soaring planes high up in the sky with details captured thanks to the f/4.5 maximum aperture and sharp optics.
• Performance Photography – Capture dancers, musicians and actors with frame-filling shots from the back of large venues like concert halls and theatres.
• Nature Photography – Reach faraway vistas like mountains and compress perspective for impactful landscape scenes.
• Safari Photography – Pair with an EOS R body to photograph exotic African wildlife scenes across long distances.
• Outdoor Portraiture – Shoot environmental headshot portraits with beautiful background blur isolating subjects in nature.
• Action Photography – Freeze split-second moments like athletes mid-air over hurdles or splashing water with fast shutter speeds enabled by good light gathering and effective stabilisation.

What We Think The Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens Review

Canon’s new RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM telephoto zoom is an incredibly versatile lens for anyone who needs long reach. Wildlife, aviation, and sports photographers in particular will find its 100-500mm super-telephoto range invaluable for capturing tightly-framed shots of distant subjects.

The built-in optical stabilisation provides up to 5 stops of compensation which allows sharp imaging handheld, further aided by a rotatable zoom ring that lets you conveniently frame subjects without twisting your wrist at awkward angles. Fast, virtually silent Dual Nano USM autofocus pairs well with Canon’s renowned Dual Pixel CMOS AF for excelling at stills and smooth video-focused performance too.

While the maximum f/4.5 aperture narrows down when fully zoomed to f/7.1, it’s still bright enough for handheld work. And the bokeh from the 9-blade aperture produces very pleasing out-of-focus areas. Images showcase fantastic clarity and colour rendition thanks to advanced optics carrying Canon’s prestigious L-series badge.

Built to withstand dust and moisture, the RF 100-500mm’s robust weather-sealed construction inspires confidence for use in harsh conditions. It’s also lighter than most pro-grade 100-500mm zooms, which reduces strain when carrying and shooting all day.

At this focal range, the RF 100-500mm empowers capturing unique perspectives suited to exotic safaris, large stage performances, and bringing distant landscapes in tight. It’s sure to become an essential workhorse lens for Canon shooters that require generous telephoto reach.

What’s in the box

• RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens
• Lens Hood ET-83F (WIII)
• Lens cap E-77 II
• Lens Dust Cap RF
• Lens Case LZ1328

Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens Sample Images

Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens Specification

Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens FAQ