Head-to-head

Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM vs Voigtländer - Nokton 40mm f/1.2 SE

Last updated Jun 1, 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

Nokton 40mm f/1.2 SE

54.0/ 100D

Optics54· 55%

Build—· 35%

Mount—· 10%

Quick verdict

Between the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM and Nokton 40mm f/1.2 SE, the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM comes out ahead in weather sealed / optical stabilization, while the Nokton 40mm f/1.2 SE wins on weight. Overall, the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM scores 80.6 and the Nokton 40mm f/1.2 SE scores 54 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 26.6 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 / optical stabilization. The biggest gaps in its favor are weather sealed, optical stabilization, min focal, among others.

Pick the Nokton 40mm f/1.2 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 40).
▲Max focal: 500 (vs 40).

Why Voigtländer - Nokton 40mm f/1.2 SE wins

▲Weight — 1116.00 g less. 414 vs 1530.

Full readout

Spec comparison

Optics

Spec	Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM	Voigtländer - Nokton 40mm f/1.2 SE
Min focal	100 mmlead	40 mm
Max focal	500 mmlead	40 mm
Max aperture	f/4.5	f/1.2
Min aperture	f/51	f/16

Build

Spec	Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM	Voigtländer - Nokton 40mm f/1.2 SE
Weight	1530 g	414 glead
Weather sealedⓘ	truelead	false
Optical stabilizationⓘ	truelead	false

Mount

Spec	Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM	Voigtländer - Nokton 40mm f/1.2 SE
Lens mount	Canon RFlead	Sony E

Drill down

Spec-level deep dives

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

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