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Canon

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM

Canon RF Mount

An incredibly compact, extending telephoto zoom with L-series optics and 5 stops of stabilization.

$2,799

Launch price

Released Oct 2019

vs

OM System

M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II

Micro Four Thirds Mount

Updated 200–800mm-equiv. telephoto with 5-axis Sync IS, improved AF, and 1125g body.

$1,499

Launch price

Released Sep 2024

M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II is 4.9 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM

Sports & ActionPortrait

Wins

2categories

M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II

WildlifeVideo & Hybrid

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM wins 4 categories·M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II wins 1 categories
  • ARF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/6.3)
  • ARF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Min focus distance (70 cm vs 130 cm)
  • ARF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/5)
  • ARF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Length (146 mm vs 205.6 mm)
  • BM.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II has higher Max magnification (0.29 × vs 0.23 ×)

Key specs at a glance

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USMM.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II
Focal Length70-200 mm100-400 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/5-6.3
MountCanon RFMicro Four Thirds
CoverageFull FrameMicro Four Thirds
Stabilization5 stops5 stops
Weight1070 g1125 g
Min Focus70 cm130 cm
Filter Size77 mm72 mm

Size and weight, to scale

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM

90 × 146 mm

1070 g (2.36 lb / 37.74 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II

86 × 206 mm

1125 g (2.48 lb / 39.68 oz)

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is 60mm shorter and 4mm wider than M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II.

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is 55 g lighter than M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II.

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

Use caseRF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USMM.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II
Portrait
7.5Good
5.5Fair
Sports & Action
9.5Excellent
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
7.0Good
Landscape
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Travel
4.0Fair
5.0Fair
Wildlife
5.5Fair
9.5Excellent
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 Super UD, 1 UD, 2 Aspherical

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/6.3 — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    70 cm vs 130 cm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/5 — lower is better

  • Length

    146 mm vs 205.6 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    1070 g vs 1125 g — lower is better

Reasons to choose the M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II

  • Special elements

    Adds 4 ED, 2 Super HR, 2 HR

  • Internal focus

    Only M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II supports it

  • Max magnification

    0.29 × vs 0.23 × — higher is better

  • Diameter

    86.4 mm vs 90 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Optical stabilization

Both support optical stabilization

OIS effectiveness

Both 5 stops

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM

Pros

  • Unbelievably compact storage size thanks to extending barrel
  • Very lightweight design (only 1070g)
  • Excellent center sharpness at all focal lengths
  • Dual Nano USM focus motors offer fast, silent AF
  • Exceptional 5-stop optical image stabilization

Cons

  • Extending barrel can draw in dust/moisture over time
  • Not compatible with RF teleconverters (due to rear element position)
  • Vignetting is quite heavy wide open

M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use
  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM and M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II at major authorized retailers.

Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II
Focal length (Min)
70 mm
100 mm
Focal length (Max)
200 mm
400 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8+1.7 stops wider
f/5
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8+2.3 stops wider
f/6.3
Elements
17
21
Groups
13
14
Special elements
1 Super UD, 1 UD, 2 Aspherical
4 ED, 2 Super HR, 2 HR
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II
Min focus distance
70 cm−60 cm less
130 cm
Max magnification
0.23 ×
0.29 ×+26%
Autofocus motor
Dual Nano USM
Dual linear motors
Internal focus
No
Yes
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
5 stops
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II
Weight
1070 g−55 g less
1125 g
Length
146 mm−60 mm less
205.6 mm
Diameter
90 mm
86.4 mm−4 mm less
Filter thread size
77 mm
72 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II
Lens mount
Canon RF
Micro Four Thirds
Format coverage
Full Frame
Micro Four Thirds

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