It's the IS in the name that distinguishes the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM from the cheaper 70-200mm f/4L USM. The lenses are virtually the same size and shape, but the more expensive of the pair comes with built-in 4-stop image stabilisation (IS).

The Canon RF 70-200mm F4 L IS USM ($1,599) is, at its heart, a more affordable version of the RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM, a top-end lens that sells for $2,700. It's just as well made, and takes up less room in your camera bag thanks to a retractable design. It doesn't gather as much light, so you'll still want to pay for an F2.8 lens if you work in dim light or cover events. For the rest of us, the RF 70-200mm F4 L IS USM is a fantastic performer that pairs perfectly with pro and enthusiast Canon R cameras, and an Editors' Choice award winner.Telescoping Barrel Like the RF 70-200mm F2.8, the F4 edition features a retractable design. It's in contrast to 70-200mm lenses for SLRs and other mirrorless systems, which almost exclusively use internal zoom. It makes the lens as small as a typical 24-70mm when retracted, about 4.7 by 3.3 inches (HD). The F4 lens is a little smaller all around than the RF 70-200mm F2.8, and lighter—1.5 pounds versus 2.6 pounds. The lighter build means you d...

The Canon RF 70-200mm F4 L IS USM is a compact zoom with quick focus and exquisite optics. Pros may still want a F2.8 zoom, but this is more than enough lens for most photographers.

Light, compact telezoom; Excellent resolution; Dust, splash, and fluorine protection; Quick, quiet autofocus; Optical stabilization works with IBIS; On-lens controls

Gather less light than an F2.8 lens; Shows some focus breathing; Divisive telescoping design

This compact telephoto lens comes with an Image Stabilizer that compensates for camera shake so you can shoot at up to 4 shutter speed steps slower without blur. The lens optical system uses one fluorite lens element and two UD lens elements to render high-resolution, high-contrast image quality at...

This compact telephoto lens comes with an Image Stabilizer that compensates for camera shake so you can shoot at up to 4 shutter speed steps slower without blur. The lens optical system uses one fluorite lens element and two UD lens elements to render high-resolution, high-contrast image quality at...

A compact telephoto zoom lens from Canon's 'L' series.

Excellent optical quality; Superb build quality; Very effective image stabilisation; Fast to focus; Sealed against weather and dust; Light weight

Sometime miss-focuses near minimum focus distance

When comparing the f/4 variety of this lens to the flagship f/2.8L version, in some ways this Canon f/4 lens is better designed. This is thanks to the zoom ring being slightly wider and easier to use as it has a slightly smaller diameter.

The new EF 70-200mm F4L IS II USM represents a major update of Canon's venerable 70-200mm F4 lens, replacing the 12 year old Mark I version by introducing a number of significant improvements.

Offering a similar level of performance to the much more expensive RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens, the RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM represents a wise choice for photographers who don’t need the one-stop advantage the f/2.8L lens provides as well as those looking for a more portable lens for hand-held...

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 USM L IS is capable to deliver a near-flawless performance is all categories. The resolution figures are very impressive even at max. aperture. Distortions, vignetting and CAs are usually nothing to worry about either.

We take a closer look at the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM and see if it can compete with its f/2.8 sibling