Canon RF 70-200 mm f/4 L IS USM § 03 Head to head
Canon RF 70-200 mm f/4 L IS USM vs Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6
Canon 70–200mm f/4 has a brighter maximum aperture. Canon 75–300mm f/4-5.6 has a longer reach.
Both lenses are made for the Canon RF mount: the Canon RF 70-200 mm f/4 L IS USM is a 70–200mm f/4 zoom, and the Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 is a 75–300mm f/4-5.6 zoom. On paper they trade blows, with 5 advantages each.
Canon RF 70-200 mm f/4 L IS USM 
Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 01
Key differences
Why is the Canon RF 70-200 mm f/4 L IS USM better than the Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6?
- Brighter maximum aperture (f/4 vs f/4-5.6)
- Wider field of view (70mm vs 75mm)
- 27 mm shorter (119.3 mm vs 146.1 mm long)
- Focuses 90 cm closer (0.6 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 70-200 mm f/4 L IS USM?
- Longer reach (300mm vs 200mm)
- 188 g lighter (507 g vs 695 g)
- Smaller filter thread (58 mm vs 77 mm)
- $1,379 cheaper ($219.99 launch price vs $1,599 launch price)
- Newer design (2025 vs 2020)
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Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Canon RF 70-200 mm f/4 L IS USM has the edge: its f/4 aperture gathers more light than f/4-5.6.
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Specification
| Specification | Canon RF 70-200 mm f/4 L IS USM | Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 70–200mm | 75–300mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 ◆ | f/4-5.6 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 | f/45 |
| Lens type | Zoom lens | Telephoto zoom |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 695 g (24.52 oz) | 507 g ◆ |
| Dimensions | 119.3 x 83.5 mm | 146.1 x 71.2 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.6 m (23.62 inches) ◆ | 1.5 m |
| Image stabilization | Yes | — |
| Weather sealing | Yes | — |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 9 ◆ | 7 |
| Optical construction | 16 elements in 11 groups | 13 elements / 9 groups |
| Filter size | 77 mm | 58 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Canon RF | Canon RF |
| Released | 2020 | 2025 |
| Price | $1,599 launch price | $219.99 launch price ◆ |
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Size
- A · Canon
- B · Canon
- 119.3 × 83.5 mm
- 146.1 × 71.2 mm
The Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 is 27 mm longer and 188 g lighter than the Canon RF 70-200 mm f/4 L IS USM.
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Sample frames
Canon RF 70-200 mm f/4 L 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 70-200 mm f/4 L IS USM or the Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6?
- The Canon RF 70-200 mm f/4 L IS USM opens to f/4, against f/4-5.6 on the Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6.
- Which is lighter, the Canon RF 70-200 mm f/4 L 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, 188 g less than the Canon RF 70-200 mm f/4 L IS USM (695 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Canon RF 70-200 mm f/4 L IS USM or the Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6?
- The Canon RF 70-200 mm f/4 L IS USM focuses down to 0.6 m, against 1.5 m for the Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6.
- Is the Canon RF 70-200 mm f/4 L IS USM or the Canon RF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Canon RF 70-200 mm f/4 L IS USM has the edge: its f/4 aperture gathers more light than f/4-5.6.
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