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Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM — Prime/Zoom
Canon

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

Prime/Zoom

93
/ 100
From $2,699
VS
Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM wins by 1
Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM — Prime/Zoom
Sony

Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM

Prime/Zoom

94
/ 100
From $1,298
Specdex verdict

Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lands at 93 and Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM at 94. That puts Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM if…

  • ✓Fast autofocus
  • ✓Weather-sealed
  • ✓Premium optics

Pick Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM if…

  • ✓Fast aperture
  • ✓Quiet autofocus
  • ✓Weather-sealed (most)
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sharpness

Tie

Compared on the sharpness sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Autofocus

Tie

Compared on the autofocus sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Build

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

Compared on the build sub-score

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM leads on build (94 vs 88).

Value for money

Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM more score per dollar ($1,298 vs $2,699).

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM 93
vs
94 Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM

Score breakdown

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM
93
sharpness 93
af 92
build 94
value 84
Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM
94
sharpness 94
af 92
build 88
value 85

Specs side-by-side

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM versus Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM — full spec comparison
Spec Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM

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

Pros
  • +Fast autofocus
  • +Weather-sealed
  • +Premium optics
Cons
  • −Heavy
  • −Expensive
  • −Focus breathing varies

Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM

Pros
  • +Fast aperture
  • +Quiet autofocus
  • +Weather-sealed (most)
Cons
  • −Mount-specific
  • −Weight varies
  • −Price scales with quality

FAQ: Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM vs Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM

Which is better, Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM or Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM? +

Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM scores 94 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM worth the price? +

At $2,699, Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in build.

Is Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM worth the price? +

At $1,298, Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in sharpness.

Does Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM or Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for build, Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM or Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM? +

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM — leads on build (94 vs 88). Compared on the build sub-score.

Which is the better value, Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM or Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM? +

Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM — more score per dollar ($1,298 vs $2,699). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.