Canon's New RF 75-300mm: Big Reach, Small Price

Canon has officially announced the RF 75-300mm F/4-5.6, a budget-friendly telephoto zoom that brings affordable reach to the EOS R mirrorless system. This newcomer serves as the spiritual successor to the venerable EF 75-300mm F/4-5.6 III from 1999—a lens many of us cut our telephoto teeth on.

What’s In The Box?

Let’s look at what makes this lens interesting. For starters, it’s remarkably affordable. Priced at £289 (approximately $390 USD) in the UK, it’s positioned as Canon’s cheapest native RF telephoto option—just slightly more expensive than the “nifty fifty” RF 50mm f/1.8 STM.

Optically, the lens features: 

• 13 elements in 9 groups
• Super Spectra Coating to reduce flare and ghosting
• 7-blade circular aperture for smooth bokeh
• 1.5m minimum focusing distance with 0.25x maximum magnification at 300mm
• 58mm filter thread (keeping filter costs reasonable)
• DC motor autofocus system

The form factor is particularly impressive given the focal range. At just 507g (about 1.1 pounds) and 146.1mm (5.75 inches) when retracted, it’s one of the lightest lenses in its class—a significant consideration when you’re carrying gear all day tracking wildlife or shooting sports from the sidelines.

APS-C Users Get Extra Reach

Here’s where things get particularly interesting for budget shooters. Mount this lens on an APS-C camera like the EOS R100 or R10, and you’re effectively working with a 120-480mm zoom. That’s serious reach for capturing distant subjects, whether it’s wildlife, sports, or the elusive moon shot.

Think about that for a moment—nearly 500mm of reach in a package that costs less than many premium lenses. For photographers taking their first steps into telephoto territory, especially those with APS-C cameras, this lens offers remarkable versatility at a price point that won’t induce panic attacks.

Where Are The Compromises?

At this price point, there are several significant tradeoffs that you should consider before jumping in:

The most noticeable omission is image stabilization, which means you’ll want decent light or a steady hand (or monopod) when shooting at the longer end of the zoom range. This becomes particularly important beyond 200mm, where even slight camera shake can ruin an otherwise great shot. 

To minimize blur, you’ll need to maintain faster shutter speeds—a good rule of thumb is at least 1/focal length or preferably 1/(2 × focal length). At 300mm, that means aiming for at least 1/300 to 1/600 second, which can be challenging in anything but bright conditions.

The DC motor autofocus is certainly a holdover from older technology. While it will benefit from Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, don’t expect the speed, precision, or silence that STM (Stepping Motor) or USM (Ultrasonic Motor) lenses provide. For moving subjects like wildlife or sports, this could mean more missed shots, especially in challenging light. The motor will also be more audible in video recordings—something to consider if you’re shooting hybrid content.

The variable aperture (f/4-5.6) is relatively modest and will limit your low-light capabilities and depth-of-field control. By 300mm, you’re already at f/5.6, which means you’ll need more light or higher ISO settings compared to more premium options.

Build quality is another area where cost-cutting is likely evident. While Canon hasn’t specified all the details, at this price point, you’re probably looking at a predominantly plastic construction without advanced weather sealing.

How Does It Compare?

The telephoto landscape for RF mount users is becoming increasingly diverse. Let’s see how this new option stacks up:

• RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM: Offers more reach and includes crucial image stabilization, but has a slower maximum aperture. The USM motor provides significantly faster, more precise, and quieter autofocus performance—a major advantage for wildlife and sports. It commands a higher price, but the AF and IS improvements may justify the cost for many photographers.
• RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM: While offering less reach, this lens provides image stabilization and a quieter STM focus motor that’s noticeably better for video work. It’s designed specifically for APS-C sensors, so full-frame users need not apply. The AF performance, while not blazing fast, will likely be more consistent than the DC motor in the 75-300mm.
• RF 600mm f/11 IS STM: Provides much more reach with image stabilization and a more modern STM focus motor for smoother, quieter operation. However, the fixed focal length and very slow f/11 aperture severely limit its versatility and low-light performance.
• EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III (with adapter): Nearly identical specifications, but requires an adapter and doesn’t benefit as much from the EOS R system’s advanced autofocus capabilities. The adapter adds cost, bulk, and potentially impacts AF performance.

The RF 75-300mm strikes an interesting balance—not the longest reach, not the fastest aperture, not the most feature-packed, but possibly the most accessible entry point into telephoto photography for RF-mount shooters.

U.S. Pricing: The Tariff Question

While UK pricing has been set at £289 and Australian pricing at AU$399, Canon USA hasn’t yet announced official pricing. Given the current climate of import tariffs, U.S. prices might climb significantly higher than a straight currency conversion would suggest.

For reference, the older EF 75-300mm F/4-5.6 III currently sells for $199 at B&H Photo, so we might expect the new RF version to land somewhere between $300-450, depending on how the tariff situation shakes out.

Interestingly, the lens doesn’t yet appear on B&H Photo’s website, suggesting that U.S. availability details are still being finalized. Canon News reported a potential launch price of $199, but this seems unlikely given the UK pricing and current tariff situation.

Who Should Consider This Lens?

This lens makes the most sense for:

• Budget-conscious newcomers to telephoto photography
• EOS R system shooters (particularly APS-C users) looking for affordable reach
• Casual wildlife, sports, or portrait photographers who shoot primarily in good light
• Photographers who prioritize portability and weight savings • Anyone who needs occasional telephoto capabilities without a massive investment

The Verdict

The Canon RF 75-300mm F/4-5.6 isn’t going to replace pro-grade telephotos, and it’s not trying to. What it does offer is a remarkably accessible entry point into the world of telephoto photography for the EOS R system.

In many ways, it reminds me of my first telephoto zoom—that same feeling of suddenly having reach I never had before, opening up new photographic possibilities without breaking the bank. There’s something special about that first time you fill the frame with a distant subject, and this lens puts that experience within reach of more photographers.

For APS-C shooters in particular, the effective 120-480mm range makes this an especially compelling option. Whether you’re photographing your kid’s soccer match, capturing birds in your backyard, or experimenting with compressed perspectives in landscape photography, this lens offers a lot of creative possibilities at a price point that encourages experimentation.

Let’s be honest about the limitations, though: the DC motor autofocus will hunt in low light, the lack of image stabilization means you’ll need faster shutter speeds or a tripod at longer focal lengths, and the build quality won’t match Canon’s higher-end offerings. If you’re shooting professionally or in challenging conditions, you might find these limitations frustrating.

The RF 75-300mm is expected to be available at the end of May 2025. Keep an eye out for U.S. pricing announcements, which should be coming soon.

Sometimes the most important lens is the one that gets you in the game. This just might be that lens.

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