OpenTube

Canon 100-500mm vs 200-800mm: Which Should You Buy?

Duade Paton

36,007 views

Join me field testing the Canon RF100-500 and RF200-800 photographing wildlife to try to answer which is the best for wildlife. Please let us know in the comments which lens you own and why you chose it. Cheers, Duade
------------------------------
Join this channel to support me:
@duade
------------------------------
Gear Used In Video - Affiliate Links
------------------------------
🛒Canon R5II https://geni.us/zgW2
🛒Canon R5 https://geni.us/IshRd
🛒Canon RF100-500 https://geni.us/wLTrLf
🛒Canon RF200-800 f/9 https://geni.us/63JQM
🛒Prograde Memory Card - use coupon code DUADE for 15% off
👍https://bit.ly/3uN6WGb *Very High Freight Costs Outside USA*
------------------------------
My Cameras - Affiliate Links
🛒Olympus OM-1 https://geni.us/nsv5
🛒Canon R6 Mark II https://geni.us/Suy1
🛒Canon R7 https://geni.us/L6TITJ
🛒Canon R6 https://geni.us/08Ro
🛒Canon R5 https://geni.us/IshRd
🛒Canon R5II https://geni.us/zgW2
🛒Canon R10 https://geni.us/AEvjF4
🛒Sony A7IV https://geni.us/wxaU
🛒DJI Pocket 2 https://geni.us/gAmY
🛒Insta Go 360 2 https://geni.us/JkFeNDp
🛒DJI Air2s Drone https://geni.us/qYhA2A

My Lenses
🛒Olympus 300mm f/4 IS PRO https://geni.us/Fst6
🛒Olympus 100-400 https://geni.us/WAsE3i2
🛒Sigma 150-600C https://geni.us/AxMQ
🛒Canon RF100-400 https://geni.us/avzOe
🛒Canon RF800 f11 https://geni.us/yhnjyl
🛒Canon RF100-500 https://geni.us/wLTrLf
🛒Canon RF35 1.8 https://geni.us/T3OrIs6
🛒Canon RF24-105 f4 https://geni.us/o1Dyw7
🛒Canon EF500 F4 IS II https://geni.us/YMFVl
🛒Canon RF200-800 f/9 https://geni.us/63JQM
🛒RF1.4x Converter https://geni.us/SG5AfJW
🛒RF2x Converter https://geni.us/00e2R
🛒Sony 200-600 https://geni.us/Yrysuf

Audio - Wireless Mic
🛒Rode Wireless Go 2 https://geni.us/FhjPXr

Tripod
🛒Ifootage TC7 https://geni.us/dwhKB6N
🛒Benro CF Tripod (C373T) https://geni.us/c0RMABZ
🛒Sirui SVM Monopod 15% off https://bit.ly/3HZgAvl
🛒iFootage C180 Cobra Monopod https://www.ifootagegear.com/?ref=Dua... Use Code DUADEPATON for 10% off
🛒Sirui AR3204 Tripod https://geni.us/EvIs Code: DUADEPATON for 5% off
🛒Sirui PH20 Gimbal https://bit.ly/3ArJykf Code: DUADEPATON for 5% off
🛒Sirui PH10 Gimbal https://geni.us/UBEct Code: DUADEPATON for 5% off
🛒Flexshooter Pro https://geni.us/3MZsDX
🛒Skimmer Ground Pod https://bit.ly/3F7QHqo
🛒Weifeng 6663A Tripod /Ballhead https://ebay.to/3ArL5W3

Monitor
🛒Ninja 5 monitor https://geni.us/aLZv6J

Bag Hide
🛒Lenscoat Lenshide https://geni.us/BzSo36M

Bag
🛒Think Tank Photo Airport Commuter Backpack https://geni.us/5cu7NQ

Accessories
🛒Prograde CF Express B and SD Cards https://amzn.to/3NlYPqb
-------------------------------
Join this channel to support me:
@duade
--------------------
👍My Paypal if you wish to donate directly: https://www.paypal.me/DuadePaton
Business enquiries: duade.paton@gmail.com
-------------------------------
👍Follow Me & View My Images
-------------------------------
Website: https://www.duadepaton.com
🖼️Gallery of my photos: https://photos.duadepaton.com
🖼️Photos from video:
🖼️Instagram: Instagram: duadepaton
-------------------------------
Chapters
00:00 - Canon RF100-500 f7.1 vs RF200-800 f9
01:04 - Sunrise Cockatoo
02:38 - Black Swans
03:18 - Australasian Darter & Cockatoo
04:58 - Cockatoo Drinking
06:25 - Little Pied Cormorant
09:28 - Peregrine Falcon
11:17 - Cockatoo Hollow
12:51 - 1.4 Extender Falcon
14:39 - Pros & Cons
17:50 - R5 vs R5II
18:20 - Conclusion
--------------
Music
Lysithea - Candelion - Epidemic Music
A Nightingale's Journey - Wanderer's Trove - Epidemic Music
As We Dream - Aerian - Epidemic Music
Calming Rain - Candelion - Epidemic Music

20 Comments

@thewildcorners 2 months ago

So what I learnt from this video is that I need both lenses and a trip to Australia. Thank you very much Duade, my wallet hates you 😆😆

@AdidaStripes 2 months ago (edited)

It's like photography YouTubers have a 6th sense into the stuff I'm currently debating. Love it

@macdaddyz80 2 months ago (edited)

Just a potential video idea Duade. I would love to see a comparison of the R7 paired with the 100-500 VS The R6 or R5 with the 200-800.

@anupkulkarni2603 2 months ago

Not skipping any video since last 5 years, great work as always. Please make part 2 of this comparison in some densely wooded area or forest so limitations of both lenses can clearly be exposed.

@ww3688 2 months ago (edited)

Stunning examples! Thanks for another real-world comparison Duade! 800 EFL is the sweet spot for us wildlife photographers. As you pointed out... ideally, 200-800 for FF, 100-500 for APSC. I can't wait to see your review on the R7ii + 100-500mm... smaller & lighter kit = more birds and less fatigue for us seniors!

@Rod-Skinner 2 months ago

200 to 800mm, it was a cost thing, pure and simple. I did spring for the 1.4 converter as it give that extra reach. I agree with other commentators, the 200 to 800 is a birders dream lens

@paulcollingridge8387 2 months ago

Such a lovely tranquil start, thanks from the UK

@kenmaier6870 2 months ago (edited)

Duade - your video's are among the best!! Before I made my purchase, I debated which one I wanted. In summary, I bought the 200-800 because: [1] I wanted the reach; [2] I didn't want to deal with TC on the 100-500, [3] I didn't like the zoom restriction on the 100-500 with a TC, and [4] if I recall correctly the 100-500 with a 1.4 TC ends up to be 700mm @ F10. In the end, I'm happy with the 200-800

@pasapasi 2 months ago

OMG this couldn't havee gotten here at a better time, i literally was watching your videos a few days ago about the best wildlife lenses for the money and I was just thinking that i wish you'd make a video comparing these exact lenses! THANK YOU!

@NinjaHunter1098 2 months ago

I spent a long time deciding between the 100-500 and the 200-800, I ended up on the 200-800 and I've been incredibly happy with it. I'm a hobbyist who primarily takes photos of birds for reference. If you need that reach, the 200-800 is the clear winner. It may not be the "sharpest" but it's incredible for it's price. Definitely agree that in the future with the R7 Mk. 2 (if ever) the 100-500 would be lovely to pair with it. Definitely the dream kit in the future.

@paultrunfull3324 2 months ago

Great to see you out and about and great info as usual. Thank you

@GlennVanderbeke 1 month ago

Thanks for this comparison!

@alphaandomega2709 2 months ago

800mm is my favorite focal length tbh

@ianhares9832 2 months ago

I had both but ultimately sold the 100-500 because I found myself using the 200-800 most of the time. On a recent trip to Chile to photograph Pumas, I rented a 100-500 because I knew we would be walking a lot so the weight difference could be an issue and there was no need to the long end of the 200-800. That was a good decision. However, on balance I'm happy with my choice between the two lenses. The implementation of extenders on the 100-500 is a big downside and I don't think it is right to compare f7.1 on the 100-500 to f9 on the 200-800 as the former is at 500 vs 800. The more realistic comparison against the 200-800 is at 500 where you are comparing f7.1 against f8. Yes the 200-800 is slower but it's either 1/3 or 2/3 of a stop between 200 and 500 and everything beyond 500 is either a bonus or the 200-800 is faster because you need an extender on the 100-500.

@thewildlifenoob 2 months ago

Great video as always my friend! I had that same dilema 1 year ago before going to the 200-800m. No regreats, love it! You got me into wildlife phtography sir and im also sharing what i do in my channel... because of you! No purpose what so ever... just for me and my family! Love you bro!

@Happymoose76 2 months ago

I love the joy you get out of shooting! I live in the north eastern part of the u s but my daughter carries dual citizenship in Australia I’ve had the privilege of seeing all of your beautiful country 6 times. The birds are soooo beautiful all over the country. You are truly blessed. Thank you for sharing. Love your channel love it when you and Jan work together too!

@larrycoonrod5563 2 months ago

I do a lot of backcountry hiking. I bought the 100-500 with the 1.4x because it is a more compact setup. Zero complaints

@paulbaum.photography 2 months ago

I have both, 100-500 is generally better for most situations, but 200-800 is great when you need the extra reach and lighting is favorable, it can work well in lower light just not as reliable focus. I generally pick the 100-500 as it's autofocus is better and it's lighter for hikes, it's also much sharper w/ an R7, and it lets more light through which is important in lower light where the F9 really struggles at times at least on R7. If you shoot full-frame I would think the 200-800 would be my pick, but with an R7 the 100-500 is just so good.

@Gremlack13 2 months ago

I got a 200-800 to shoot on my r6II.
I love it.
I’ve shot my daughter’s soccer matches, and birds and stuff.
There are some low light limitations, but generally paired with my camera I can push it a bit.

It’s a great lens for its price.
I love the reach of it. That 800mm makes a huge difference I didn’t quite expect.

The only downside is I have not yet taken it with me for a plane journey, because it doesn’t fit in the bag like the 70-200 f4.

But I love it.

Got I for a decent price over a year ago.

@michaelmclaren 2 months ago

Your excitement and passion for wildlife and photography translates so well through your videos. Couldn't help but smile when you got some of those shots! Jealous of that shot of the cockatoo in flight landing on that rock at 6:08!
In terms of lenses, I have the 200-800 on my R5mk2 because I wanted the reach. I almost picked up the 100-500 for about $3200aud brand new on my recent Japan trip, but thought I should use my current lens more and see want range I use more often. No regrets about my decision but I do often think about buying it still 😅