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Canon

RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM

Canon RF Mount

RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM — 800mm f/5.6 for Canon RF, a popular choice in the canon lineup.

$16,999

Launch price

Released Feb 2022

vs

Sony

FE 50mm F1.4 GM

Sony E Mount

FE 50mm F1.4 GM — 50mm f/1.4 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$1,799

Launch price

Released Mar 2025

FE 50mm F1.4 GM is 3 years newer.

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Wins

1categories

RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM

WildlifeSports & Action

Wins

7categories

FE 50mm F1.4 GM

PortraitSports & Action

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM wins 1 categories·FE 50mm F1.4 GM wins 4 categories
  • ARF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (4.5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BFE 50mm F1.4 GM has lower Min focus distance (30 cm vs 400 cm)
  • BFE 50mm F1.4 GM has lower Weight (580 g vs 3140 g)
  • BFE 50mm F1.4 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.4 vs f/5.6)
  • BFE 50mm F1.4 GM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.4 vs f/5.6)

Key specs at a glance

RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USMFE 50mm F1.4 GM
Focal Length800 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/5.6f/1.4
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization4.5 stopsNo
Weight3140 g580 g
Min Focus400 cm30 cm
Filter Size52 mm77 mm

Size and weight, to scale

RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM

140 × 432 mm

3140 g (6.92 lb / 110.76 oz)

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

FE 50mm F1.4 GM

81 × 131 mm

580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)

RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM is 301mm longer and 59mm wider than FE 50mm F1.4 GM.

RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM is 2560 g heavier than FE 50mm F1.4 GM.

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 800mm F5.6 L IS USMFE 50mm F1.4 GM
Portrait
2.5Limited
8.5Excellent
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
6.0Good
4.5Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Travel
2.0Limited
3.5Limited
Wildlife
10.0Excellent
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
1.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 Fluorite, 2 Super UD, 1 UD

  • OIS effectiveness

    4.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM supports it

Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.4 GM

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical, ED

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 400 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    580 g vs 3140 g — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.4 vs f/5.6 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.4 vs f/5.6 — lower is better

  • Length

    131 mm vs 432 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 140 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.15 × vs 0.14 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

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

FE 50mm F1.4 GM

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 800mm F5.6 L IS USM and FE 50mm F1.4 GM at major authorized retailers.

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 800mm F5.6 L IS USM
FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Focal length (Min)
800 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
800 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/5.6
f/1.4+4 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/5.6
f/1.4+4 stops wider
Elements
26
14
Groups
18
11
Special elements
2 Fluorite, 2 Super UD, 1 UD
Aspherical, ED
RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM
FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Min focus distance
400 cm
30 cm−370 cm less
Max magnification
0.14 ×
0.15 ×+7%
Autofocus motor
Dual Nano USM
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM
FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
4.5 stops
0 stops
RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM
FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Weight
3140 g
580 g−2,560 g less
Length
432 mm
131 mm−301 mm less
Diameter
140 mm
81 mm−59 mm less
Filter thread size
52 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM
FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Lens mount
Canon RF
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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