Which telephoto lens is best for wildlife on the Canon EOS R7?

Question

Ive been staring at review videos for hours and my head is spinning. Im taking my R7 to Yellowstone in three weeks and I still havent bought a lens. Im totally torn between the RF 100-500mm and that new 200-800mm beast. The 100-500 is way more expensive and might blow my $2500 budget, but everyone says its sharper.

Then theres the 200-800 which gives more reach but its huge and impossible to find in stock. I even thought about the cheap 100-400 to save money but I dont want to regret it later when I see a grizzly...

RF 100-500mm

RF 200-800mm

RF 100-400mm

Which one actually handles the R7 sensor better for birds and bears?

Scannernbc · Accepted Answer

Late to the party but @Reply #2 - good point! That f/9 really is a vibe killer when you are shooting in the shadows or early morning. I went through this exact same struggle before my trip to Glacier last year. My budget was tight and I was stressed about reach, but the Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM caught my eye and honestly... I have been so happy with it. Most people think you need the biggest lens in the shop, but on the R7, that 400mm feels like 640mm anyway because of the crop factor. Those grizzly shots I got of a mother and her cubs came out great and the sharpness was totally fine for my prints. I saved a ton of cash and didnt have to carry a heavy monster around all day. If you want to stay way under that $2500 limit, the little 100-400 is such a sleeper hit.

Darrellsox · Answer

Unfortunately, Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM isnt as good as expected in shadows.Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM is sharper100-400 is too short Grab the 100-500.

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Which telephoto lens is best for wildlife on the Canon EOS R7?