RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USMvs NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

GearFrame · Updated March 2026

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM (2020) Starting from £2799 new Best for Wildlife, birding & sports photography View RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM
VS
Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S (2022) Starting from £2799 new Best for Sports, wildlife & weddings on Nikon Z View NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?

Wildlife, Birding & Sports Photography — RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM (2020): Canon RF's definitive wildlife and birding lens — 500mm reach with L-series quality and IS that makes handheld shooting at extreme focal lengths genuinely viable.

Sports, Wildlife & Weddings On Nikon Z — NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S (2022): A superb Z-mount telephoto zoom — outstanding at every focal length with class-leading VR.

↓ Full specifications below

Who should buy what

Quick take: These cameras are closely matched across the key specs below. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.

Full specifications

Specification RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM (2020)NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S (2022)
Price £2,799 £2,799
Sensor f/4.5-7.1 (variable max aperture) Nikon Z mount (full-frame)
Video 90cm minimum focus distance N/A — lens
Autofocus Dual Nano USM — fast subject tracking with Dual Pixel CMOS AF Multi-Focus System — fast tracking, near-silent
Stabilisation 5-stop IS (up to 6 stops combined with IBIS on compatible bodies) Vibration Reduction (VR) — 5.5 stops
Burst Rate N/A N/A
Battery Life N/A N/A
Weight 1530g 1360g
Dimensions 93.8mm diameter × 207.6mm length 89mm diameter × 220mm length
Weather Sealed Yes Yes
Viewfinder N/A N/A
Screen N/A N/A
Mount Canon RF 77mm filter thread
Memory Cards N/A N/A
Connectivity N/A N/A

Suitability by genre

Genre RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USMNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Wildlife
9.0
9.0
Sports & Action
9.0
—
Landscape
7.0
—
Sports —
9.0
Wedding —
9.0
⚡ Compare specs side by side RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM prices → NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S prices →

More comparisons with RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM

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