SUMMARY
Wildlife photographer Duade Paton tested Canon's RF 100-500mm L-series lens against the RF 200-800mm, using both the Canon R5 and R5 Mark II bodies. The 100-500mm offers L-series sharpness and a wider low end, making it versatile for landscapes and birds, but its 500mm reach can be limiting for distant subjects. The 200-800mm provides significantly more reach, extending to 1120mm with a teleconverter, which is advantageous for small or far-off wildlife, though it lacks L-series coatings and weather sealing. Paton also shared a shutter speed technique to balance action readiness with image quality and noted that APS-C bodies can effectively extend the reach of the 100-500mm.
TAKEAWAYS
Canon's 100-500mm offers L-series quality and a wider focal range, while the 200-800mm prioritizes extreme reach.
The 100-500mm is lighter and sharper, suitable for general wildlife and landscapes, but may lack reach for distant subjects.
The 200-800mm provides up to 800mm (or 1120mm with a teleconverter) but has a slower aperture and less advanced coatings.
APS-C camera bodies can effectively extend the focal length of the 100-500mm, making it a strong option for crop-sensor users.