Canon
RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM
Canon RF Mount
Canon's versatile super-telephoto zoom reaching 500mm — ideal for wildlife, sports, and safari without changing lenses.
$2,699
Launch priceReleased Jul 2020
Canon
RF 16-35mm F2.8L IS USM
Canon RF Mount
Canon's professional ultra-wide zoom with constant f/2.8 and 5-stop IS for landscapes, architecture, and events.
$2,299
Launch priceReleased Nov 2019
RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM is 8 months newer.
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Wins
RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM
Wins
RF 16-35mm F2.8L IS USM
TL;DR — Key differences
- BRF 16-35mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Min focus distance (28 cm vs 90 cm)
- BRF 16-35mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/7.1)
- BRF 16-35mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Weight (840 g vs 1370 g)
- BRF 16-35mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Length (128 mm vs 208 mm)
- BRF 16-35mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/4.5)
Key specs at a glance
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose the RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM
- ✓
Special elements
Adds 1 Super UD, 3 UD
- ✓
Max magnification
0.33 × vs 0.21 × — higher is better
- ✓
OIS effectiveness
5.5 stops vs 5 stops — higher is better
Reasons to choose the RF 16-35mm F2.8L IS USM
- ✓
Min focus distance
28 cm vs 90 cm — lower is better
- ✓
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8 vs f/7.1 — lower is better
- ✓
Special elements
Adds 2 UD
- ✓
Weight
840 g vs 1370 g — lower is better
- ✓
Length
128 mm vs 208 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8 vs f/4.5 — lower is better
- ✓
Diameter
89 mm vs 93 mm — lower is better
Shared specifications
Internal focus
Both support internal focus
Optical stabilization
Both support optical stabilization
Weather sealing
Both support weather sealing
Control ring
Both support control ring
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM
Pros
- ✓Incredible 100-500mm reach in a single lens
- ✓5.5-stop optical image stabilization
- ✓Compatible with RF 1.4x and 2x extenders
- ✓Relatively compact for a 500mm-capable zoom
Cons
- –Variable f/4.5-7.1 aperture gets slow at tele end
- –Heavy at full extension (1370g)
- –Expensive for a variable-aperture zoom
RF 16-35mm F2.8L IS USM
Pros
- ✓Ultra-wide 16mm perspective for dramatic landscapes
- ✓Constant f/2.8 aperture across entire range
- ✓5-stop optical image stabilization
- ✓Excellent weather sealing for outdoor work
Cons
- –Bulky and heavy (840g)
- –Some barrel distortion at 16mm
- –Premium L-series pricing
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM and RF 16-35mm F2.8L IS USM at major authorized retailers.
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM
Canon RF 16-35mm F2.8L IS USM
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.