Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM § 03 Head to head
Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM vs Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6
Canon 100–500mm f/4.5-7.1 has a longer reach. Canon 75–300mm f/4-5.6 has a brighter maximum aperture.
Both lenses are made for the Canon RF mount: the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM is a 100–500mm f/4.5-7.1 zoom, and the Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 is a 75–300mm f/4-5.6 zoom. On paper the Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 comes out ahead, 6 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM 
Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 01
Key differences
Why is the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM better than the Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6?
- Longer reach (500mm vs 300mm)
- Focuses 60 cm closer (0.9 m vs 1.5 m)
- More aperture blades (9 vs 7)
Why is the Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 better than the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM?
- Brighter maximum aperture (f/4-5.6 vs f/4.5-7.1)
- Wider field of view (75mm vs 100mm)
- 863 g lighter (507 g vs 1370 g)
- 62 mm shorter (146.1 mm vs 207.6 mm long)
- Smaller filter thread (58 mm vs 77 mm)
- Newer design (2025 vs 2020)
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Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 has the edge: its f/4-5.6 aperture gathers more light than f/4.5-7.1.
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Specification
| Specification | Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM | Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 100–500mm | 75–300mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4.5-7.1 | f/4-5.6 ◆ |
| Minimum aperture | f/32-54 | f/45 |
| Lens type | Telephoto zoom lens | Telephoto zoom |
| Format | Full Frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 1370 g (3.02 lbs) | 507 g ◆ |
| Dimensions | 93.8 mm (diameter) x 207.6 mm (length) | 146.1 x 71.2 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.9 m (3.0 ft) at 100mm; 1.2 m (3.9 ft) at 500mm ◆ | 1.5 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.33x at 500mm | — |
| Image stabilization | Yes (up to 5 stops) | — |
| Weather sealing | Yes | — |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 9 (circular) ◆ | 7 |
| Optical construction | 20 elements in 14 groups | 13 elements / 9 groups |
| Filter size | 77 mm | 58 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Canon RF | Canon RF |
| Released | 2020 | 2025 |
| Price | — | $219.99 launch price |
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Size
- A · Canon
- B · Canon
- 207.6 × 93.8 mm
- 146.1 × 71.2 mm
The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM is 62 mm longer and 863 g heavier than the Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6.
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Sample frames
Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM
Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM or the Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6?
- The Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 opens to f/4-5.6, against f/4.5-7.1 on the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM.
- Which is lighter, the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM or the Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6?
- The Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 weighs 507 g, 863 g less than the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM (1370 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM or the Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6?
- The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM focuses down to 0.9 m, against 1.5 m for the Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6.
- Is the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM or the Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 has the edge: its f/4-5.6 aperture gathers more light than f/4.5-7.1.
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