Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM vs Nikon - NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM | Nikon - NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 1530 g | 1440 g |
| Min focal | 100 mm | 70 mm |
| Max focal | 500 mm | 200 mm |
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 / 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 74.1 and the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S scores 69.1 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM edges ahead on the Mars Score (74.1 vs 69.1), but the 5.0-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
Pick the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM if you care most about min focal / max focal. The biggest gaps in its favor are min focal, max focal. The single most decisive one: Min focal: 100 (vs 70).
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. The single most decisive one: Weight — 90.00 g less. 1440 vs 1530.
Both ship with comparable weather sealed, optical stabilization, so those specs do not 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.
Which should you buy: Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM or Nikon - NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S?
Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM leads the current Mars Score by 5.0 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare min focal, max focal, weight against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM if…
Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM has the measurable edge on focal min mm, focal max mm.
Choose Nikon - NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S if…
Nikon - NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S has the measurable edge on weight g.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
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.
Spec comparison
Optics
| Spec | Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM | Nikon - NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S |
|---|---|---|
| Min focal | 100 mmlead | 70 mm |
| Max focal | 500 mmlead | 200 mm |
| Max aperture | f/4.5 | f/2.8 |
| Min aperture | f/51 | f/22 |
Build
| Spec | Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM | Nikon - NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 1530 g | 1440 glead |
| Weather sealedⓘ | true | true |
| Optical stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Mount
| Spec | Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM | Nikon - NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S |
|---|---|---|
| Lens mount | Canon RF | Nikon Zlead |