Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF)
Telephoto Zoom lens with Optical Image stabilization and 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with
RF Mount cameras .
What type of photography is the Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM lens good for?
The choice of photography type for which you intend to use the Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM is a crucial decision factor. Below, we have assessed its suitability for various photography scenarios:
Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM is a member of Canon's RF L series of lenses. Below you can see the latest lenses in this series.
Canon RF L Series Lenses in Canon RF Mount
Reasons to Buy the Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM Lens
Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM lens in a list form to assist you in determining whether it offers the features you need.
Optical Image Stabilization (up to 5.0 stops)
Weather-sealed
Autofocus
Breathing Correction with Supported Cameras
Hood supplied
Full-time Manual Focusing
Focus Distance Limiter
Zoom Lock
Fast Aperture at Tele end
Constant f4 aperture throughout the range
Covers Full-Frame Sensor
9 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh
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Lens Extends while zooming
Pricey
Lens Mount
Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM is compatible with cameras that have a Canon RF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon RF lenses are Canon R6 V , Canon R6 III and Canon C50 .
Size, Weight and Filter Thread
The size and weight are crucial factors to consider when searching for your next lens. Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM has a maximum diameter of 84mm and a total length of 119mm when not extended. It weighs 695g / 24.5 oz .
Check the size of the Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM when attached to RF Mount cameras :
Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM Size with RF Mount Cameras
Below, you'll find a scaled side-by-side image comparing the sizes of the Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM and the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM , offering a better understanding of their dimensions in real life. Check the detailed comparison of these two lenses here .
Comparison image of the Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM and the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Size and Weight
Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM has a filter thread of 77mm . Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM:
You can also check All Canon RF Mount Lenses with 77mm Filter Thread Size to find the matching lenses.
Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM Lens Top View
Focal Range
Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM has a focal range of 70-200mm and 2.9X zoom ratio. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 112 - 320mm .
Weather Sealings
The Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM is a weather-sealed lens, which provides extra protection to prevent water and dust get inside the lens and camera body under light rain, snow and wind. In order to have effective protection, you have to pair the Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM with a weather-sealed camera body such as the Canon R6 V , Canon R6 III and Canon C50 .
Optical Image Stabilization
The Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting. Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM's stabilization system is effective up to 5.0 stops .
Lens Breathing Correction Compatibility
The Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM is compatible with Canon cameras that features Breathing Compensation/Correction . This feature adjusts the size of the frame dynamically in-camera during video recording by applying a certain percentage of crop in order to minimize change in framing.
Canon cameras that has the Breathing Compensation/Correction feature are:
Zoom Method
Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM features Rotary (extending) zoom method where the length of the lens changes as you zoom in or out. This makes it possible to design the lens with a smaller minimum length ( generally when it is zoomed out) compared to internal zoom lenses. The disadvantages of this design are being harder to seal against dust and moisture, weight balance shifting while zooming and zoom creep in certain lenses.
Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM Extended State
Zoom Lock
Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM has a Zoom lock feature which eliminates Zoom creep where focal length of the lens changes with gravity when it's held downwards or upwards.
Maximum Magnification Ratio
Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.28x with a minimum focusing distance of 0.6m . For a non-macro lens, the 0.28x is considered a high magnification and will come handy for close-up shots.
Below are the 3 Telephoto Zoom type Canon RF mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios :
Aperture
Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM is a fixed aperture lens with a constant max aperture of f4 from 70mm all the way to the 200mm .
Focal Length
Max Aperture
Min Aperture
70mm
F4
F32
200mm
F4
F32
Optical Formula
Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM's optical formula consists of 16 elements in 11 groups . The following special elements are used in this design:
4 UD elements Air Sphere coating
Lens Hood
Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.
Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM Lens Hood
Body Colour
Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM is available in White color.
Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM Attached to a camera
Popular Comparisons of Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM
Here are the 8 most popular comparisons of the Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM amongst Camera Decision readers.
Top Alternatives of Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM Lens
In addition, it would be interesting to check which lenses from other mounts are most commonly compared with the Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM.
Top Alternatives of Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM in Other Lens Mounts
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