In recent years, one of the biggest advantages Nikon has enjoyed in the super-telephoto space has been its impressive Z 400mm F2.8 TC VR S and Z 600mm F4 TC VR S lenses. The built-in 1.4x teleconverter design gives wildlife and sports photographers instant extra reach at the flip of a switch, and it's a feature many Canon shooters have quietly wished for ever since Nikon introduced it.
Canon RF 600mm F4L vs Nikon Z 600mm F4 TC VR S vs Nikon Z 400mm F2.8 TC vs Canon RF 400mm F2.8L Size Comparison
It's no secret that Canon's current RF 400mm F2.8L IS USM and RF 600mm F4L IS USM are heavily based on their EF predecessors. While they remain excellent lenses, they don't feel like a major leap forward from the EF 400mm F2.8L IS III USM and EF 600mm F4L IS III USM that came before them. In fact, some photographers would argue that Nikon currently holds the technological edge in this category.
That may finally be about to change.
According to the latest information shared by Canon Rumors, Canon is once again hearing that new RF 400mm f/2.8 II TC and RF 600mm f/4 II TC lenses featuring built-in teleconverters are on the roadmap. The lenses are reportedly expected to be announced in Q4 of 2026, with availability following sometime in 2027.
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The rumor has surfaced multiple times over the past few years, but Canon Rumors has a solid track record when it comes to major product launches, giving photographers reason to be cautiously optimistic.
Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS II USM is no Longer Available as a new lens
There may be another surprise in store as well. The report also mentions the possibility of a new 500mm prime lens. Interestingly, this doesn't appear to be a traditional 500mm f/4 replacement of the EF 500mm f4.0L IS II USM. Instead, it could be a more compact and lightweight 500mm f/5.6 design, similar to a patent Canon filed earlier this year.
Canon patent optical structure drawing for a 500mm F5.6 Lens
If that turns out to be true, the lens could become one of the most exciting additions to Canon's RF lineup. Dropping from f/4 to f/5.6 allows for a significantly smaller and lighter design while still providing plenty of reach for wildlife and outdoor sports photography. A lens along the lines of Sigma's highly regarded 500mm f5.6 DG DN OS Sports would likely be welcomed with open arms by RF camera shooters looking for a more portable super-telephoto option.
Canon RF 600mm F4L vs Sigma 500mm f5.6 DG DN for Comparison
For now, these remain rumors, but if Canon is indeed preparing a new generation of super-telephoto lenses with built-in teleconverters, 2027 could be a very exciting year for sports and wildlife photographers.
Below you can find a comparison table of the lenses mentioned in this article:
