Customer Ratings & Reviews

This lens is so light and sharp, is amazing I really recommend

It is a great lens to use with my canon r50. Great long range shots of some of the birds and animals i got to see.

Good value Good quality Light weight I got this lens very happy

Awesome lens for outdoor pictures, gives options without changing lenses

I wanted it to take photos at the softball park and it met my expectations. The fotos looks great.

Had to get a zoom lens for my canon r8 this was the perfect lens for new mirrorless camera.

Love the pictures you can get from the distance on a budget. Very smooth adjustment of lens

Works as it should. I use it for nature photography and so far so good.

I took my Eos R for practice shots at Oakland’s first friday! You’ll love what i was able to capture

It's my first longer range lens and it works BEAUTIFULLY

I purchased this for my daughter who has followed in my footsteps for wildlife photogrpahy. I felt this would pair well with her R7 but little did I know, I would love this lens also. I shoot with an R5 and 100-500, but her little combo takes some great images. Everytime I have used this lens, the image quality has surprised me! It is light weight, small, and eay to use. It IQ is not a 100-500 level, but it is way better than the price point. Paired with the R7 it gives her an effective focal length if 640mm. Despite the high aperature, it handles noise well on the R7. The autofocus is quick! I’ve added this to my walk-around bag when I’m focusing on landscape. If I see wildlife it is easy to slap on. Its so much lighter and smaller than the 100-500 and easy to stow. Would it teplace the 100-500? No, but does make for a nice back up or for those longer hikes. If you are a beginner in wildlife photography, this paired with the R7 is the best combo under 2k!

The Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM is an impressive telephoto zoom lens that strikes a balance between affordability, portability, and optical performance. As someone who has used this lens extensively, I believe it offers excellent value for photographers who want to explore super-telephoto photography without breaking the bank or carrying heavy gear. Below is my detailed review based on its build quality, image quality, autofocus performance, and overall usability. Build Quality and Design The RF 100-400mm is compact and lightweight for a telephoto zoom lens, weighing just 635 grams (1.4 lbs) and measuring only 16.5 cm (6.5 inches) in length when retracted. This makes it highly portable and easy to carry around for extended shooting sessions. The plastic barrel construction feels robust enough for regular use but lacks the premium weather-sealing found in Canon’s L-series lenses. While this omission might concern those shooting in harsh environments, it’s understandable given the price point. The lens extends when zooming to 400mm, but the weight distribution remains close to the camera body, ensuring good balance even at full extension. The zoom ring is smooth and easy to operate, with a slight taper toward the front for better grip. Additionally, there’s a locking switch to prevent accidental barrel extension during transport—a thoughtful touch. One downside is that no lens hood or pouch is included in the box; these must be purchased separately if needed. Overall, while not as rugged as professional-grade lenses, the RF 100-400mm offers solid build quality suitable for casual use. Image Quality For its price range, the optical performance of this lens is impressive. It features one aspherical element and one ultra-low dispersion (UD) element to minimize chromatic aberrations and distortions across its focal range. Images are sharp throughout most of the frame at all focal lengths when shooting wide open (f/5.6-f/8). However, edge sharpness can drop slightly at longer focal lengths like 400mm—this is typical for non-L-series telephoto lenses. Color rendition and contrast are excellent thanks to Canon’s Super Spectra Coating, which reduces flare and ghosting even in challenging lighting conditions such as backlit scenes or high-contrast environments. That said, the variable aperture of f/5.6-8 means this lens isn’t ideal for low-light situations unless paired with a camera capable of handling high ISO settings effectively (e.g., Canon EOS R5 or R6). Shooting wildlife at dawn or dusk may require compromises on shutter speed or ISO settings to maintain proper exposure. Autofocus Performance The RF 100-400mm uses Canon’s Nano USM motor for autofocus—a system known for being fast, quiet, and accurate. During my use of this lens with cameras like the EOS R6 Mark II and EOS R7, I found autofocus performance to be snappy even when tracking moving subjects like birds or sports players. Eye detection autofocus works seamlessly with this lens on compatible bodies like the EOS R5/R6 series, making it easier to capture sharp images of wildlife or action scenes at long distances. However, in very dim lighting conditions where contrast is low (e.g., twilight), autofocus can occasionally hunt before locking onto a subject. Manual focus adjustments are also possible via an electronically controlled focus ring located near the front of the barrel. While functional and precise enough for most scenarios, manual focusing lacks tactile feedback compared to traditional mechanical systems. Image Stabilization One standout feature of this lens is its built-in image stabilization (IS), rated up to 5.5 stops of correction when used alone or up to 6 stops when paired with in-body stabilization (IBIS) on certain Canon mirrorless cameras like the EOS R7 or R6 Mark II. This stabilization system allows handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds without introducing motion blur—a critical advantage when working at longer focal lengths like 300mm or 400mm where camera shake becomes more pronounced. In practice, I was able to achieve sharp handheld shots down to about 1/50th of a second at 400mm under good lighting conditions. Who Should Buy This Lens? The RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM is best suited for hobbyists and enthusiasts looking for an affordable entry into telephoto photography without sacrificing too much image quality or portability: Wildlife Photography: Ideal for beginners exploring wildlife photography during daylight hours. Sports Photography: Great for casual sports shooters capturing outdoor events under decent lighting. Travel & Landscape Photography: Its lightweight design makes it perfect for travelers needing reach without bulk. Budget-Conscious Photographers: Those who cannot afford pricier options like the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L will find this lens an excellent alternative. However, professionals requiring faster apertures (e.g., f/2.8-f/4) or weather-sealing may need to look elsewhere within Canon’s L-series lineup. Pros Lightweight and compact design. Excellent sharpness across most of its range. Affordable price point ($649 USD). Effective image stabilization system. Fast autofocus performance with Nano USM motor. Cons Variable aperture limits low-light usability. No weather-sealing. Edge sharpness drops slightly at longer focal lengths. No included accessories like a hood or pouch. Not suitable for professional-grade work due to build limitations. Conclusion The Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM delivers exceptional value by combining affordability with solid optical performance in a lightweight package that’s perfect for hobbyists exploring telephoto photography genres such as wildlife or sports under good lighting conditions—all without needing deep pockets! While it does come with some compromises like limited low-light capability due to its narrow aperture range and lack of weather-sealing, these trade-offs are acceptable given its price point compared to higher-end alternatives like the RF 100-500mm f/4.-7.L IS USM. If you’re looking for an accessible way into super-telephoto photography on Canon’s mirrorless system without using EF-RF adapters—or simply want a versatile travel-friendly zoom—this lens should definitely be on your radar!

Good image quality, minimal pincushioning even at the far end. Lens is nice and weighty but doesn't overbalance my EOS R8 very much. Pairs really well with either of Canon 24-105mm offerings. The F/8 minimum aperture at the extreme tele-end is a limiting factor; it means that this is NOT a good choice for fast action or low-light, and because of the limited light-gathering capabilities the lens does hunt a bit. Had a few successful outdoor live shows/concerts, but it's basically useless indoors.

The Canon RF 100-400mm is a surprisingly good lens for its price. It’s lightweight and easy to carry, which makes it perfect for travel, sports, or wildlife without feeling bulky. The autofocus is fast and accurate, even when tracking moving subjects, and the image stabilization really helps to keep shots sharp at longer focal lengths. Of course, it’s not as bright as the more expensive RF telephoto lenses, since it has a variable aperture, but for daylight shooting it performs really well. Overall, it’s a great option if you want extra reach without spending a fortune or carrying heavy gear.

I just bought this lens this morning because my EF 100-400 no longer holds focus and I didn't think it was worth trying to get it repaired....and maybe I was wrong....I'm using an R5, btw. For what you pay, this is a good lens. It has pros and cons, and at first I was going to give it 4 stars, but I went with 5 because my wish shouldn't make a difference....I wish it did better in low light. I was out shooting my son's college baseball games in Florida and by 4:30 I needed to up my ISO. I never had to do that with my EF....HOWEVER, while I probably didn't want to admit it, I knew that going in. My EF is 4.5-5.6 and that makes a BIG difference so, if you are shooting in low light, I do not recommend this lens....but I'm also not going to knock it....I should know what I'm getting myself into. This is NOT a prime lens. but what you get for the price savings is well worth it IF you don't need to shoot in low light. So, here's what I like: The lens is VERY light! It's so nice not having to put on my monopod! It focuses quickly....play around with your settings and you will find what works best for you. Video is smooth and I don't hear the motor on playback. It packs away easily. Images are crisp and clear, and in full day light it's spectacular! This will be my vacation lens, or if I go on a long hike. If you're a hobbyist on a budget, this should meet your needs. I don't think anyone can have just one lens. But Canon makes enough good lens for budget minded hobbyists to use across their brand. I realized, but thinking about the 100-500 and comparing them, that it really is not fair to put them against each other. I settled on this because I'm not sure what is better for me going forward. I'm leaning more towards getting either the 200-800 when they become readily available. Images are sharp, and certainly good enough for what I am doing. I got some great pictures of some Osprey as well. And the bonus is that I can use the extenders without any issue (except lighting of course). Luckily, with the R5, there isn't too much issue and I can set my ISO pretty high and still get sharp images, so, after a full day of shooting images and video, I'm pleased with my purchase. Aside from the light "issue" I think think the only problem I'm going to have is getting used to a heavier lens when I go to a prime. :) This really is a no brainer and I'm glad I got it.

PRO: Light weight, fast focusing (with R6), less expensive than professional EF L-version (EF 100-400 L IS USM ii), compact, great option for beginners CON: F8 at 400mm, not an professional L-lens (but still good quality), plastic

I've owned this lens for over a year now which has given me plenty of time to assess it. I also own the much more expensive RF 100-500. It may seem odd to own, but I think not because the 100-500, while "light and compact" for it's range, becomes heavy with long hikes, which is why I bought the 100-400. The build quality of the 100-400 is what one would expect of a lens at this level. It's a hunk of plastic with minimal weather sealing. Image quality though isn't hugely that different from the 100-500 though. It's a tad less sharp and crisp -- nothing that can't be fixed when editing if that is part of your workflow. And autofocus is quite responsive thanks to it having a USM motor. What I don't like about the lens is the same thing I don't like about any non-L RF lens - there is no separate manual focus ring. Instead the control ring doubles as manual focus too and you have to pick one via the camera's menu or on bodies like the R7 the MF/AF switch on the front of the camera. I've used the lens on both the R5 and R7 and while it's good on the R5 I think it's best paired with crop sensor bodies like the R7 because of the 1.6x crop multiplier giving this lens and effective reach of 640mm. So who is this lens for? Two groups, I think. 1) anyone who doesn't want to spend a fortune on a tele-zoom but also doesn't want to sacrifice image quality or consider used lenses. 2) People who want to compliment their higher-end tele-zoom with a lighter, more compact model more appropriate for long hikes or places where a bigger lens would be uncomfortable, awkward or not allowed.

This is a great lens for the weight and price. It won't get the same performance as the much more expensive -- and significantly heavier -- RF 100-500, particularly as far as low-light performance and of course the extra 100mm at the upper end. That said, the autofocus is quite fast, and it's compatible with Canon's 1.4x and 2x teleconverters throughout its full zoom range, unlike the RF 100-500, whose compatibility begins at 300mm.

Using this with R50. Great lenses, fast, quiet and not to heavy.

I’m really enjoying this lens. As someone who mostly shoots landscapes and abstract/ minimal nature photos, I love being able to zoom in and pick out compositions. The lens is also allowing me to start taking some better wildlife shots too, which is super exciting. When I’m not shooting video with the Canon R8, I’m using this lens for photography. It is important not to expect this lens to offer the same kinds of photos as the 100-500 or other higher end telephotos. It still takes excellent photos, especially of landscapes and probably larger animals. It is lightweight, feels good quality, and is fun to use.