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Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM vs Nikon - NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

Last updated · How Mars Score works
RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS…CANONRENDER
Probe A
Canon
RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM
80.6/ 100A
Optics81· 55%
Build· 35%
Mount· 10%
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR SNIKONRENDER
Probe B
Nikon
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
71.3/ 100B
Optics71· 55%
Build· 35%
Mount· 10%
Quick verdict

Between the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM and NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S, the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM comes out ahead in min focal and max focal, while the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S wins on weight. Overall, the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM scores 80.6 and the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S scores 71.3 on our Mars Score.

Buying advice

Which should you buy?

The RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 9.3 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.

Pick the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM if you care most about min focal and max focal. The biggest gaps in its favor are min focal, max focal.

Pick the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. Its strongest claims are weight.

Both ship with comparable weather sealed, optical stabilization, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.

Bottom line: the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.

Why Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM wins

  • Min focal: 100 (vs 70).
  • Max focal: 500 (vs 200).

Why Nikon - NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S wins

  • Weight — 90.00 g less. 1440 vs 1530.
Full readout

Spec comparison

Optics

SpecCanon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USMNikon - NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Min focal100 mmlead70 mm
Max focal500 mmlead200 mm
Max aperturef/4.5f/2.8
Min aperturef/51f/22

Build

SpecCanon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USMNikon - NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Weight1530 g1440 glead
Weather sealedtruetrue
Optical stabilizationtruetrue

Mount

SpecCanon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USMNikon - NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Lens mountCanon RFNikon Zlead
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