Head-to-head

Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM vs Voigtländer - APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 SE

Last updated May 31, 2026 · How Mars Score works

Probe A

Canon

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

80.6/ 100A

Optics81· 55%

Build—· 35%

Mount—· 10%

Probe B

Voigtländer

APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 SE

57.6/ 100D

Optics58· 55%

Build—· 35%

Mount—· 10%

Quick verdict

Between the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM and APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 SE, the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM comes out ahead in weather sealed and optical stabilization, while the APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 SE wins on weight. Overall, the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM scores 80.6 and the APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 SE scores 57.6 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 23.0 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 weather sealed and optical stabilization. The biggest gaps in its favor are weather sealed, optical stabilization, min focal, among others.

Pick the APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 SE if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. Its strongest claims are weight.

There are no meaningful ties on the headline specs — every popular-comparison metric has a winner.

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

▲Has Weather sealed.
▲Has Optical stabilization.
▲Min focal: 100 (vs 50).
▲Max focal: 500 (vs 50).

Why Voigtländer - APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 SE wins

▲Weight — 1166.00 g less. 364 vs 1530.

Full readout

Spec comparison

Optics

Spec	Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM	Voigtländer - APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 SE
Min focal	100 mmlead	50 mm
Max focal	500 mmlead	50 mm
Max aperture	f/4.5	f/2
Min aperture	f/51	f/22

Build

Spec	Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM	Voigtländer - APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 SE
Weight	1530 g	364 glead
Weather sealedⓘ	truelead	false
Optical stabilizationⓘ	truelead	false

Mount

Spec	Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM	Voigtländer - APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 SE
Lens mount	Canon RFlead	Sony E

Reader questions

Frequently asked

Drill down

Spec-level deep dives

Min focal→Max focal→Max aperture→Min aperture→Weight→Weather sealed→Optical stabilization→Lens mount→

By manufacturer