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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 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

Sony E Mount

FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS — 90mm f/2.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$1,099

Launch price

Released Jun 2015

RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM is 5.8 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM

Macro & Close-upSports & Action

Wins

3categories

FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

Macro & Close-upSports & Action

3 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM wins 2 categories·FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS wins 3 categories
  • ARF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM has higher Max magnification (1.4 × vs 1 ×)
  • BFE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS has lower Weight (602 g vs 730 g)
  • BFE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS has lower Length (134 mm vs 148 mm)
  • ARF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM has lower Min focus distance (26 cm vs 28 cm)
  • BFE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS has lower Diameter (81 mm vs 82 mm)

Key specs at a glance

RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USMFE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
Focal Length100 mm90 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stops5 stops
Weight730 g602 g
Min Focus26 cm28 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 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
Portrait
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
7.5Good
7.5Good
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
7.0Good
Landscape
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Travel
2.0Limited
3.5Limited
Wildlife
5.5Fair
5.5Fair
Macro & Close-up
9.0Excellent
9.0Excellent

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 1 × — higher is better

  • Min focus distance

    26 cm vs 28 cm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Weight

    602 g vs 730 g — lower is better

  • Length

    134 mm vs 148 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 82 mm — lower is better

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

OIS effectiveness

Both 5 stops

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 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

Pros

  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Sony E mount compatibility

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM and FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS at major authorized retailers.

Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM

Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM
FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
Focal length (Min)
100 mm
90 mm
Focal length (Max)
100 mm
90 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
17
14
Groups
12
11
Special elements
1 UD
Aspherical
RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM
FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
Min focus distance
26 cm−2 cm less
28 cm
Max magnification
1.4 ×+40%
1 ×
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM
FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
5 stops
RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM
FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
Weight
730 g
602 g−128 g less
Length
148 mm
134 mm−14 mm less
Diameter
82 mm
81 mm−1 mm less
Filter thread size
67 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM
FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
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.