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Spec drill · Max focal

RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM vs 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

A side-by-side readout for max focal.

Canon · RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM
500mm
▲ Lead
Sigma · 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art
85mm
VerdictRF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM wins on max focal.
Context

Understanding max focal

Max focal is a numeric spec measured in mm. On this metric, higher values are generally better, but returns diminish past category-typical thresholds — going from a low value to a mid value usually matters far more than going from a mid value to a high one. When comparing two products, focus on the percentage gap rather than the raw delta: a 200-unit lead means something very different at the low end of the range than at the high end. Pay attention to the unit, too — manufacturers sometimes quote peak or burst figures that are not sustained in real-world use. Cross-check the published number against independent measurements where possible, especially for performance and battery claims. Finally, remember that a single spec rarely tells the whole story; the Mars Score weighs max focal together with the rest of the spec sheet so one outlier doesn't distort the verdict.

This matchupRF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM's 500mm is roughly 488% higher than 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art's 85mm (a 415mm gap). Whether that gap is noticeable depends on workload — small percentage gaps rarely change day-to-day experience, while gaps of 20% or more usually do.

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Other specs on this comparison

See the full Camera Lenses category for all products ranked by Mars Score.