Review: Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM

Friday 9 February 2024, 16:08 by Nando Harmsen | 6,280 views | 10 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

Canon's new telephoto zoom lens could become very popular. The RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM offers a fantastic zoom range and many possibilities. Most importantly, it is compact and not too heavy.

Anyone who photographs wildlife often needs a long focal length. This allows you to achieve considerable magnification. Or, as people commonly say, to bring the subject closer. Canon has several interesting lenses for this purpose.

First of all, there is the fantastic RF100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM. Even with its 500mm, though, it does not always offer enough reach. A teleconverter is one solution, but you lose a lot of light. You can then choose the expensive primes, which work better with teleconverters. But these are usually far beyond budget.

The large prime lenses are fantastic, but they are actually difficult or impossible to use handheld. Apart from that, they cost as much as a small second-hand car. Here you can see the 4.5-kilo EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM.
The alternative is the relatively inexpensive RF 600mm f/11 IS STM and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM. They are excellent lenses, but here too, the aperture can be a problem when the light conditions are not ideal.

The RF600mm, RF800mm and RF100-500mm next to each other. Apart from the aperture, the lack of a zoom is a disadvantage.
The RF200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM is therefore the lens many people have been waiting for. It is manageable, has an acceptable aperture, an enormous zoom range, and is affordable compared with many alternatives. Canon provided me with the lens for this review.

The exterior

Don't be mistaken, the RF200-800mm is not a small lens. At its shortest setting, it is 31.4 centimetres long. Extended to 800mm, its length increases to no less than 41 centimetres. The lens has a diameter of 10.2 centimetres and a 95 mm filter size.

If you think the RF100-500mm is large, you have not seen the RF200-800mm yet. (The photo has some wide-angle distortion, which makes the lenses look slightly deformed.)
At 2,050 grams, the RF200-800mm's weight is quite reasonable. This makes the lens well suited to handheld use, provided the shutter speed is fast enough.

The tripod collar is a good size, so it can serve perfectly as a handle. It can rotate 360 degrees, but cannot be removed.

A detailed look at the tripod collar. The advice is to use the eyelets for the strap. Not so much because of the weight, but because of the size. This takes the strain off the camera mount.
The tripod collar has eyelets for attaching a strap, which is certainly advisable even with the reasonable weight. Because of its length, the forces on the camera mount can become considerable. Attaching the strap to the lens prevents this.

The switches and buttons, plus a friction ring for the zoom.
There are not many switches on the RF200-800mm, which is one of the ways it differs from the L-series lenses. You can switch autofocus and image stabilisation on and off.

There are two programmable buttons. The zoom ring cannot really be locked, but it can be 'secured'. Zooming remains possible, but with more resistance.

The focus ring and control ring are combined. This means that you also have to change the function of this ring using the focus switch. It is hardly possible to change this by touch, because the switch is deeply recessed and the different positions are very close together.

The aperture and image stabilisation

The maximum aperture changes while zooming. At 200mm, the maximum aperture is a reasonable f/6.3. At 800mm, this aperture has become f/9.

From around 270mm, the aperture is f/7.1, and from 455mm it is f/8. The range from approximately 640mm to 800mm is f/9.

The change in aperture while zooming is similar to that of the RF100-500mm.
The range of apertures is in line with the RF100-500L, with at most a 1/3 to 2/3 stop difference. Fully zoomed in, the RF200-800mm offers 2/3 stop more light than the RF800mm f/11.

These relatively small apertures mean that you quickly need high ISO values in poor light conditions. A slower shutter speed is hardly an alternative, mainly because of the long focal length. The image stabilisation will not always compensate for this.

This roe deer missed the railway connection on a dark, rainy day in the Oostvaardersplassen. At f/9 and 800mm, the shutter speed needs to be fast enough. This means high ISO values. (EOS R5 with RF200-800mm at 800mm, ISO 5,000, f/10, 1/160 sec, edited to taste)
The RF200-800mm can stabilise the image by up to 5.5 stops at 800mm. It works together with IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization), but this does not provide any additional stabilisation. Based on the 1/focal-length rule, you could theoretically shoot handheld at up to 1/25 second with stabilisation. In practice, this is almost impossible to achieve.

Image quality

I did not specifically test the lens for image quality. Instead, I focused on the results in practice, which in fact gives a more realistic impression. You can see that the sharpness is not comparable with primes costing up to ten times as much, but the results are still very good.

An encounter with a kingfisher. Zoomed in on the corners and the centre. (EOS R5 with RF200-800mm at 800mm, ISO 5,000, f/10, 1/640 second, unedited)
At 800mm, the image becomes a little softer. This may partly be due to the diffraction caused by the small maximum aperture. This was also visible with the RF800mm f/11. I do get the impression that diffraction is less noticeable with the RF200-800mm at 800mm, which makes sense given the available aperture.

The lens also appears to have reduced sharpness in the corners at 800mm, but this seems minor and is not distracting. Certainly not when the subject is mainly in the centre, which happens quickly with this lens.

The grebe in all its glory. EOS R5 with RF200-800mm at 800mm, ISO 5,000, f/10, 1/1,000 second, edited to taste)

In practice

The lens invites you to shoot handheld. That is what I did in every case. Walking with the RF200-800mm causes hardly any weight problems, provided you attach the strap to the lens.

Bracket fungi in the sunshine (EOS R5 with RF200-800mm at 338mm, ISO 160, f/7.1, 1/125 second, edited to taste.
The enormous zoom range makes the lens extremely suitable for small animals that you cannot get too close to. If you can get close, you can zoom out, which is a major advantage.

At 200mm, the minimum focusing distance is a pleasant 80 centimetres. This changes as you move towards 800mm. At 800mm, you need to allow for a minimum focusing distance of 3.3 metres. At 200mm and a distance of 80 centimetres, the magnification is 0.25x.

All of this is also a disadvantage. I was quickly inclined to use the lens as if it were an 'ordinary' telephoto lens. This resulted in more blurry images than would normally be the case. The image stabilisation was unable to keep up.

A blurry photo. This is not due to the lens or the camera, but to the photographer, who is not used to working with an 800mm focal length (EOS R5 with RF200-800mm at 800mm, ISO 100, f/9, 1/160 sec, unedited)
This is my fault, not the lens's. You should not underestimate the focal length. Pay attention to keeping your camera and lens steady. Even though there are 5.5 stops of image stabilisation, you cannot rely on it completely, but at the same time it is indispensable.

You need some time to get used to how to shoot handheld with focal lengths like these. Then you can achieve beautiful results, with the zoom range offering plenty of flexibility.

Learn how to handle an 800mm focal length handheld, and the results are beautiful (photo by Hetwie).

Conclusion

I had some doubts about the RF200-800mm when I first heard about it. However, after spending a few weeks out with this lens, I became enthusiastic. It offers many possibilities and is probably a perfect lens for photographers who photograph small animals from a distance.

It takes some getting used to the size, but the weight is not too high. The image stabilisation makes handheld shooting possible, as long as you learn to take the focal length into account.

A goosander in the rain at dusk (EOS R5 with RF200-800mm at 800mm, ISO 4,000, f/9, 1/160 sec, edited to taste)
You mainly notice that it is not an L lens from its features. For example, there is no way to switch between different stabilisation options. The lens does this for you. There is no focus limiter, and there is a combined focus/control ring.

Other differences from the L lenses include the quality of the glass in this lens, which guarantees optimum image quality. This includes distortion, corner sharpness and chromatic aberration. The image quality is good, that much is clear, but those expensive L lenses are simply better.

The aperture can sometimes require high ISO values. This is the result of a compact design combined with the focal length. It cannot be avoided. More important is the diffraction limit you encounter at 800mm. Even so, the advantages this lens offers outweigh the disadvantages.

The RF 200-800mm next to its smaller brother, the RF100-500L.
With a recommended retail price of 2,499 euros, it is not exactly cheap, but it is very competitively priced. I think it could be a better purchase than the cheaper RF800mm f/11. If you are looking for a zoom lens with an enormous range, the RF200-800mm is highly recommended.

Advantages

Large zoom range
Although large, it is easy to use handheld
Weighs only 2,050 grams
5.5 stops of image stabilisation
Programmable buttons
Well-sized tripod collar
Strap attachment on the tripod collar
Weather-sealed
1.4x and 2x teleconverters can be used
Lens hood included
Competitively priced

Disadvantages

Image becomes slightly soft at 800mm
Switches are deeply recessed and difficult to operate
It takes effort to set the AF switch to the control function
Diffraction occurs at 800mm
Combined focus/control ring
No image stabilisation modes, only on/off
No focus limiter
Handheld shooting at these focal lengths requires a learning process.

If you do not necessarily need a zoom range up to 800mm, the RF100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM is a better choice, despite its slightly higher price. You get an L lens with all the advantages that come with it. It is also much more compact. Read the review again.

Gallery

This is a selection of photos taken with the RF200-800mm. Every photo was taken handheld. The kingfisher and long-tailed tit photos have been cropped slightly. The other photos have not.

Bruc in the golden hour. (EOS R5 with RF200-800mm at 300mm, ISO 400, f/11, 1/40 sec, edited to taste).

A wild duck taking flight (EOS R5 with RF200-800mm at 800mm, ISO 2,500, f/10, 1/1,000 sec, edited to taste).

Kingfisher (EOS R5 with RF200-800mm at 800mm, ISO 3,200, f/9, 1/640 sec, edited to taste).

Full moon through a gap in the clouds (EOS R5 with RF200-800mm at 800mm, ISO 800, f/9, 1/60 sec, edited to taste).

Grey heron in the golden light (EOS R5 with RF200-800mm at 800mm, ISO 6,400, f/9, 1/125 sec, edited to taste).

Three roe deer in the Oostvaardersplassen at dusk (EOS R5 with RF200-800mm at 800mm, ISO 12,800, f/9, 1/160 sec, edited to taste).

Highland cattle in the evening light (EOS R5 with RF200-800mm at 300mm, ISO 100, f/7.1, 1/125 sec, edited to taste).

Together in the forest (EOS R5 with RF200-800mm at 400mm, ISO 320, f/7.1, 1/160 sec, edited to taste).

A cormorant with an identity crisis (EOS R5 with RF200-800mm at 800mm, ISO 800, f/10, 1/500 sec, edited to taste).

Bruc playing. The autofocus is fast enough for action (EOS R5 with RF200-800mm at 371mm, ISO 4,000, f/7.1, 1/1,000 sec, edited to taste).

The light at the end (EOS R5 with RF200-800mm at 200mm, ISO 5,000, f/7.1, 1/500 sec, edited to taste).

The long-tailed tit, small and fast, but not fast enough for this lens (EOS R5 with RF200-800mm at 800mm, ISO 1,600, f/9, 1/400 sec, edited to taste).

A mute swan among the ice in warm light (EOS R5 with RF200-800mm at 455mm, ISO 100, f/9, 1/1,000 sec, edited to taste).

Many thanks to Canon Nederland for providing this lens.

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About the author

Nando Harmsen has been photographing for more than 40 years. He specialises in wedding photography and landscape photography. Nando also gives talks, workshops, masterclasses and photo trips, and regularly reviews new and interesting equipment.

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10 comments

Donald Willemsen wrote on Friday 9 February 2024 at 23:24 | reply
Nando, in your list of advantages you talk about the weight of the lens and you write there that the lens weighs only 2050 kilograms.
I think it's impressive that you can still take photos handheld with that
Translated from Dutch.

Nando wrote on Tuesday 13 February 2024 at 09:39 | reply
For this zoom range and corresponding aperture, this isn't too bad.
With an R5 this is approximately 2800 grams
An EOS 1Dx with the EF70-200mm weighs approximately 2600 grams and everyone photographs handheld with that (who has or had one).
Translated from Dutch.

Donald Willemsen wrote on Tuesday 13 February 2024 at 11:19 | reply
Nando, read it again under the heading 'Benefits'. It really does say, I quote: 'Weighs only 2050 KILOGRAM'
I understand that it's a mistake too. My intention was for you to correct it. Ok, my response may have come across as a bit sarcastic, but it wasn't meant maliciously.
Translated from Dutch.

Nando wrote on Tuesday 13 February 2024 at 11:37 | reply
Oh... now I understand it.
hahaha
That is indeed quite a task to use that handheld. I adjusted it and the lens suddenly feels as light as a feather.
Translated from Dutch.

Donald Willemsen wrote on Tuesday 13 February 2024 at 14:04 | reply
Voilà, a heavy burden has been lifted from my shoulders. 😄😉.
Translated from Dutch.

Mario Wandels wrote on Tuesday 13 February 2024 at 15:49 | reply
nice that you put with every photo : "edited to taste".
Every photographer sees the world around him with his own eyes through his camera in a different way.
nice photos!
Translated from Dutch.

ifiamminghi wrote on Tuesday 13 February 2024 at 19:10 | reply
That this lens cannot be compared with the 10x more expensive L primes, and that you are therefore focusing on the results in practice, indeed seems like a good approach to me.
But I do miss the comparison with an RF100-500+extender, and the RF800f/11 a bit in this article...
After all, many people have the RF100-500, and with the purchase of an extender (still cheaper than the RF200-800) one would achieve more or less the same range, but is the (practical) image quality then better or worse than that of the RF200-800? Or, if one already has the RF800f/11, would one be better off with the zoom at 800mm with the RF200-800?
(apart from the convenience of zooming, of course)
That RF800f/11 is also a lot lighter...
This of course does not detract from the quality of your article!
Translated from Dutch.

Nando wrote on Sunday 18 February 2024 at 10:50 | reply
Good point.
Unfortunately, I don't have an RF100-500L with an extender, only without one. And no RF600 or RF800 either. Comparing them is difficult then. Maybe this can be done sometime in the future, but I need to discuss that with Canon Netherlands.

I do know that an extender always results in some loss of quality. I don't know whether that is negligible compared to the RF200-800. The extender on the RF100-500 limits the zoom range, so keep that in mind. So it isn't the most ideal combination.
Compared to the RF600/800, the zoom range and f/9 have an advantage in my view over a fixed f/11.

But I would like to refer to the reviews of the RF100-500L and the RF600/800 here on PF.
Translated from Dutch.

ifiamminghi wrote on Friday 16 February 2024 at 12:08 | reply
You (rightly) state that it is advisable to attach the strap to the relevant eyelets after all, in order to relieve the lens/camera connection (I hadn't thought of that yet).
But, in the photo just above "conclusion", I think I can see that you are using your shoulder strap with that (fantastic) QD coupling (which you wrote an article about earlier). Is that right ? Or am I not seeing what I think I'm seeing ?
(I am still very happy with the QD coupling that I learned about thanks to you, thanks for that!)
Translated from Dutch.

Nando wrote on Sunday 18 February 2024 at 10:55 | reply
Good spot, that is the QD system. It is attached to the tripod plate that I mounted on the tripod collar of the lens.
This way I carry the lens with the camera (instead of the camera with the lens) and I don't have to use the lens's own carrying strap.
Translated from Dutch.

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