CANON RF 70-200mm F4L IS USM

The RF 70-200mm F4L telephoto zoom delivers impressive performance in a small size, but with some caveats…

The RF 70-200mm F4L IS USM arrives with far more fanfare than traditional f/4 zooms. For starters, it’s the shortest and lightest 70-200mm f/4 in the world – it’s only slightly larger than a beer or soda can when collapsed at 70mm!

At just 83.5x119mm (collapsed) and 695g, it’s 27mm shorter and 375g lighter than the RF 70-200mm f/2.8L trinity version. Compared to its DSLR equivalent, the EF 70-200mm f/4L II USM, it’s 85g lighter and a whopping 57mm shorter – and that’s before you add the EF mount adapter. But it also costs 50% more than the EF version.

When attached to a non-stabilized EOS body, the lens delivers 5-stops of stabilization. Mount it to the IBIS-enabled EOS R5 and R6, though, and you get an huge 7.5 stops – half a stop less than the RF F2.8L, but it’s still incredible. The floating dual Nano USM AF system also produces speedy, snappy AF for stills along with smooth and near-silent focus for filming video, with well-controlled focus breathing. As you’d expect from an L lens, it’s weather sealed and built to last with vibration and shock-resistant construction.

Like the RF F2.8L version before it, this optic has a telescoping zoom mechanism that extends the lens barrel as you zoom in. This uses a perforated seal on the moving inner barrel to enable air movement while keeping dust and moisture out.