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 35mm F1.2 L USM
Canon RF Mount
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM — 35mm f/1.2 for Canon RF, a popular choice in the canon lineup.
$2,999
Launch priceReleased Dec 2018
RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM is 1.6 years newer.
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Wins
RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM
Wins
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- ARF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- BRF 35mm F1.2 L USM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/7.1)
- BRF 35mm F1.2 L USM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/4.5)
- ARF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM has higher Max magnification (0.33 × vs 0.17 ×)
- BRF 35mm F1.2 L USM has lower Length (111.5 mm vs 208 mm)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this lens size diff to shareRF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM
⌀93 × 208 mm
1370 g (3.02 lb / 48.33 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
⌀89 × 112 mm
950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)
RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM is 97mm longer and 4mm wider than RF 35mm F1.2 L USM.
RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM is 420 g heavier than RF 35mm F1.2 L USM.
Diameter (⌀) is the maximum barrel width; length is measured from the mount to the front of the lens.
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
- ✓
OIS effectiveness
5.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
- ✓
Special elements
Adds 1 Super UD, 3 UD
- ✓
Optical stabilization
Only RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM supports it
- ✓
Max magnification
0.33 × vs 0.17 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose the RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
- ✓
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2 vs f/7.1 — lower is better
- ✓
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2 vs f/4.5 — lower is better
- ✓
Special elements
Adds 1 UD
- ✓
Custom function button
Only RF 35mm F1.2 L USM supports it
- ✓
Length
111.5 mm vs 208 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Min focus distance
50 cm vs 90 cm — lower is better
- ✓
Weight
950 g vs 1370 g — lower is better
- ✓
Diameter
89 mm vs 93 mm — lower is better
Shared specifications
Internal focus
Both support internal focus
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 35mm F1.2 L USM
Pros
- ✓Bright f/1.2 aperture for low light and subject separation
- ✓Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
- ✓Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
Cons
- –Premium price point
- –Relatively heavy for extended handheld use
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM and RF 35mm F1.2 L USM at major authorized retailers.
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM
Canon RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.