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Canon

RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM

Canon RF Mount

Canon's first RF macro with 1.4x magnification and spherical aberration control for stunning close-up detail.

$1,399

Launch price

Released Apr 2021

vs

Sony

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sony E Mount

The standard telephoto zoom, completely redesigned to be 29% lighter and significantly sharper.

$2,799

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II is 6 months newer.

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Wins

6categories

RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM

Macro & Close-upSports & Action

Wins

0categories

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sports & ActionPortrait

2 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM wins 5 categories·FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II wins 0 categories
  • ARF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM has higher Max magnification (1.4 × vs 0.3 ×)
  • ARF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM has lower Min focus distance (26 cm vs 40 cm)
  • ARF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM has lower Weight (730 g vs 1045 g)
  • ARF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM has lower Length (148 mm vs 200 mm)
  • ARF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 4.5 stops)

Key specs at a glance

RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USMFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Focal Length100 mm70-200 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stops4.5 stops
Weight730 g1045 g
Min Focus26 cm40 cm
Filter Size67 mm77 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseRF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USMFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Portrait
4.5Fair
7.5Good
Sports & Action
7.5Good
9.5Excellent
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
7.0Good
Landscape
3.0Limited
4.0Fair
Travel
2.0Limited
4.0Fair
Wildlife
5.5Fair
5.5Fair
Macro & Close-up
9.0Excellent
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 UD

  • Max magnification

    1.4 × vs 0.3 × — higher is better

  • Control ring

    Only RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM supports it

  • Min focus distance

    26 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    730 g vs 1045 g — lower is better

  • Length

    148 mm vs 200 mm — lower is better

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 4.5 stops — higher is better

  • Diameter

    82 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 XA, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super ED…

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II supports it

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/2.8

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/2.8

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Optical stabilization

Both support optical stabilization

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM

Pros

  • 1.4x maximum magnification (industry-leading for macro)
  • Spherical Aberration Control for adjustable bokeh
  • 5-stop Hybrid IS for handheld macro
  • Doubles as a sharp 100mm portrait lens

Cons

  • Complex SA control ring adds learning curve
  • Heavy for macro work (730g)
  • Premium macro pricing

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Pros

  • Extremely lightweight for an f/2.8 telephoto zoom (only 1045g)
  • Virtually instantaneous and silent autofocus with 4 XD Linear motors
  • Stunning optical performance and contrast across entire range
  • Outstanding built-in Optical SteadyShot stabilization
  • Dedicated physical aperture ring with click and lock switches

Cons

  • Very high price tag
  • Lens hood is bulky and can block storage space easily

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM and FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II at major authorized retailers.

Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM

Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Focal length (Min)
100 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
100 mm
200 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
17
17
Groups
12
14
Special elements
1 UD
1 XA, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super ED, 2 ED
RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Min focus distance
26 cm−14 cm less
40 cm
Max magnification
1.4 ×4.7× more
0.3 ×
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
4 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5 stops+11%
4.5 stops
RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Weight
730 g−315 g less
1045 g
Length
148 mm−52 mm less
200 mm
Diameter
82 mm−6 mm less
88 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Lens mount
Canon RF
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.