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Zeiss Otus 100mm F1.4 vs Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM

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Zeiss Otus 100mm F1.4

Telephoto Prime | Canon EF

Zeiss Otus 100mm F1.4
CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO
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Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM

Telephoto Prime | Canon EF

Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM
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BUY from B&H PHOTO

Zeiss Otus 100mm F1.4 vs Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Zeiss Otus 100mm F1.4 and Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM, two Telephoto Prime lenses from Zeiss and Canon.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Zeiss Otus 100mm F1.4 Key Specs

  • 100mm Focal Range
  • F1.4 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 86mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 1405g.
  • Diameter: 101mm
  • Length: 129mm
  • Min Focus Distance:1m
  • Max Magnification:0.12x

Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM Key Specs

  • 600mm Focal Range
  • F4 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 52mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 3050g.
  • Diameter: 168mm
  • Length: 448mm
  • Min Focus Distance:4.5m
  • Max Magnification:0.15x

What type of photography are the Zeiss Otus 100mm F1.4 and Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Zeiss Otus 100mm F1.4 and the Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Zeiss Otus 100mm F1.4 Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM
Bird/WildlifeAverageExcellent
SportsAverageExcellent
PortraitGoodPoor
TravelFairPoor
StreetFairPoor
WeddingGoodPoor
Walk AroundFairPoor
VloggingFairPoor
LandscapeFairPoor
MacroPoorPoor

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM is the longer of the two lenses at 448mm. The Zeiss Otus 100mm F1.4 with a length of 129mm is 319mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM also has a larger diameter of 168mm compared to Zeiss Otus 100mm F1.4's 101mm diameter.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Zeiss Otus 100mm F1.4 weighs 1405g, which means it is 1645g (53%) lighter than the Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM which has a weight of 3050g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Telephoto Prime Lenses in Canon EF Mount for size comparison purposes.

Telephoto Prime Lenses in Canon EF Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sigma 800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM Lens Sigma 800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM
521mm
157mm 4900g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 85mm f1.8 USM Lens Canon 85mm f1.8 USM
72mm
75mm 425g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 85mm f1.2L II USM Lens Canon 85mm f1.2L II USM
84mm
92mm 1025g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 200mm f2L IS USM Lens Canon 200mm f2L IS USM
208mm
128mm 2520g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS USM Lens Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM
387mm
146mm 3870g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 400mm f5.6L USM Lens Canon 400mm f5.6L USM
257mm
90mm 1250g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 400mm f2.8L IS II USM Lens Canon 400mm f2.8L IS II USM
343mm
163mm 3850g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 100mm f2.0 USM Lens Canon 100mm f2.0 USM
74mm
75mm 460g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Zeiss Otus 100mm F1.4 and Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM has the same Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF lenses are Canon 1D X III, Canon 6D MII and Canon 5D MIV.

Zeiss Otus 100mm F1.4 is also available in Nikon F (FX) mount.

Focal Range

Zeiss Otus 100mm F1.4 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 100mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 160mm.
Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 600mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 960mm.

Reasons to choose Zeiss Otus 100mm F1.4 over Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM

Focal Length - Wide 100mm vs 600mm 500mm Wider coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 1.4 vs 4 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.4 vs 4 Wider aperture at tele end
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Weight 1405g vs 3050g 1645g lighter
Diameter 101mm vs 168mm 67mm smaller in diameter
Length 129mm vs 448mm 319mm shorter
Minimum Focus Distance 1m vs 4.5m can focus closer to the subject

Reasons to choose Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM over Zeiss Otus 100mm F1.4

Focal Length - Tele 600mm vs 100mm 500mm more Tele coverage
Image Stabilization Yes vs No Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Autofocus Yes vs No Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Filter Thread 52mm vs 86mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust
Max Magnification 0.15x vs 0.12x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Zeiss Otus 100mm F1.4 and Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing



**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Zeiss Otus 100mm F1.4 vs Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Zeiss Canon
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Telephoto Prime Telephoto Prime
Lens Mount Canon EF Canon EF
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 100mm 600mm
Image Stabilization Yes
Colour Black Unknown
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F1.4 F4
Min Aperture F16 F32
Aperture Ring Yes No
Diaphragm Blades unknown 9
Optics
Optical Elements 14 17
Optical Groups 11 13
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 1m 4.5m
Max Magnification 0.12X 0.15X
Autofocus No Yes
AF Motor Type No AF Ring-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes Yes
Focus Method Internal Rear
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Unknown No
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Yes
Physical Specs
Weight 1405g 3050g
Diameter 101mm 168mm
Length 129mm 448mm
Materials Unknown Magnesium alloy
Weather Sealing Unknown Yes
Filter Thread 86mm 52mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Unknown Yes
Hood Code Unknown Unknown
Tripod Collar Unknown Yes
Optional Accessories - -
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