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 85mm F1.4 L VCM
Canon RF Mount
Hybrid L-series 85mm with VCM autofocus, manual iris ring, and weather sealing.
$1,649
Launch priceReleased Feb 2025
RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM is 4.6 years newer.
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Wins
RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM
Wins
RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM
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 85mm F1.4 L VCM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.4 vs f/7.1)
- BRF 85mm F1.4 L VCM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.4 vs f/4.5)
- ARF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM has higher Max magnification (0.33 × vs 0.12 ×)
- BRF 85mm F1.4 L VCM has lower Weight (636 g vs 1370 g)
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 85mm F1.4 L VCM
⌀77 × 99 mm
636 g (1.40 lb / 22.43 oz)
RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM is 109mm longer and 17mm wider than RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM.
RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM is 734 g heavier than RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM.
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
- ✓
Special elements
Adds 1 Super UD, 3 UD, 3 Aspherical
- ✓
OIS effectiveness
5.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
- ✓
Optical stabilization
Only RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM supports it
- ✓
Max magnification
0.33 × vs 0.12 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose the RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM
- ✓
Special elements
Adds 1 UD, 1 Aspherical
- ✓
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.4 vs f/7.1 — lower is better
- ✓
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.4 vs f/4.5 — lower is better
- ✓
Weight
636 g vs 1370 g — lower is better
- ✓
Length
99.3 mm vs 208 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Custom function button
Only RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM supports it
- ✓
Diameter
76.5 mm vs 93 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Min focus distance
75 cm vs 90 cm — 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 85mm F1.4 L VCM
Pros
- ✓Bright f/1.4 aperture for low light and subject separation
- ✓Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
- ✓Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
Cons
- –Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM and RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM at major authorized retailers.
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM
Canon RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.