RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USMvs A6400
Canon
RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM (2021)
Starting from £1299 new
Best for Macro, portraits & close-up detail work
View RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Macro, Portraits & Close-Up Detail Work — RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM (2021): A uniquely capable macro and portrait lens in one — 1.4× super-macro capability, 5-stop IS, and L-series build quality.
Content Creation & Vlogging — A6400 (2019): The best value APS-C Sony you can buy — especially used. Real-time Eye AF at this price point was transformative when it launched and still makes it one of the most reliable autofocus systems in the lineup.
Who should buy what
A6400 (2019)
- Vloggers and content creators who need a flip screen and reliable AF
- Photographers upgrading from a compact or smartphone
- Beginners who want room to grow into a full E-mount lens ecosystem
- Anyone prioritising autofocus performance at an accessible price
Quick take: The a6400 is the most affordable; only the rf 100mm f/2.8l macro is usm is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM (2021) | A6400 (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,299 | £899 |
| Sensor | Canon RF mount (full-frame) | 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS BSI |
| Resolution | — | 24.2MP |
| Video | N/A — lens | 4K/30p (6K oversampled, no crop), 1080p/120p slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Dual Nano USM — fast for a macro lens | Phase-detect, 425 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF |
| Stabilisation | Optical IS — 5 stops (up to 8 stops with IBIS) | None (no IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | N/A | 11fps mechanical, 8fps with AF tracking |
| Battery Life | N/A | ~410 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 730g | 403g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 81.5mm diameter × 148mm length | 120.0 × 66.9 × 59.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | N/A | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification |
| Screen | N/A | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 180° flip for selfie/vlog, 921k dots |
| Mount | 67mm filter thread | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | N/A | Single SD UHS-I |
| Connectivity | N/A | Micro-USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM | A6400 |
|---|---|---|
| Macro | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Wildlife | ||
| Video | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Travel | — |
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Camera family history