Nikon has just announced the long-waited Nikkor Z 800mm F6.3 VR S Lens officially today. This is an impressive lens due to its relatively compact size and weight compared to other lenses in this focal category thanks to the use of PF elements in its optical construction. Another 800mm lens that was previously announced was the Canon RF 800mm F5.6 IS USM which actually looked more like a Canon FE 400mm F.28 with a built-in 2x Teleconverter!
Here is a scaled size comparison of these two lenses. The Nikon Z 800mm is impressively lighter, shorter and narrower despite being only 1/3-stop slower than the Canon counterpart.
Nikon Z 800mm F6.3 vs Canon RF 800mm F5.6 Size Comparison
Price Comparison
I don't know what kind of rabbit the Nikon pulled out of their hat but at only $6499, The Nikkor Z 80mm F6.3 is a real bargain! Look at the Canon RF, only 1/3-stop faster but has an MSRP of $16.999!
Sure the size and price alone doesn't make a lens better choice than the other but the for image quality, we need to wait for some real life test images to surface. Until that time, here we have the specs and feature comparison of the Nikon and Canon lenses:
Nikon Z 800mm F6.3 vs Canon RF 800mm F5.6 Feature Comparison
| FEATURE and SPECS COMPARISON | |  |  |
| Model | Canon RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM | Nikon Z 800mm F6.3 VR S |
| Lens Type | Prime | Prime |
| Lens Mount | Canon RF | Nikon Z |
| Focal Length | 800mm | 800mm |
| Max Format | 35mm FF | 35mm FF |
| Image Stabilization | | |
| Number of Diaphragm Blades | 9 | 9 |
| Optical Elements | 26 | 22 |
| Optical Groups | 18 | 14 |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 2.6m | 5m |
| Max Magnification | 0.34x | 0.16x |
| Weight | 3140g | 2385g |
| Length | 432mm | 385mm |
| Diameter | 163mm | 140mm |
| Filter Thread | 52mm | 46mm |
| Weather Sealing | | |
| Price | Amazon, B&H Photo | Amazon, B&H Photo |