Head to head

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM vs SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB UHS-I

A direct, no-fluff comparison: specs, pros and cons, pricing, and the scenarios where each one earns its keep.

Spec snapshot

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USMSanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB UHS-I
Price (USD)$2899$24.99
Our rating4.7/54.9/5
Categorycamera-lensesaccessories
Pros34
Cons22

The case for each

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

4.7

Pros

  • +500mm reach in a manageable size
  • +Sharp throughout zoom
  • +5-stop IS

Cons

  • Variable aperture
  • Slow at 500mm in low light
Full review →

SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB UHS-I

4.9

Pros

  • +Fast enough for 4K60 and burst RAW
  • +Lifetime limited warranty
  • +Trusted reliability
  • +RescuePro recovery software

Cons

  • UHS-I only — not enough for 8K or some high-end video
  • Counterfeits common on third-party sellers
Full review →

Winner by use case

Vlogging & videoTie
Low-light photographyCanon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM
Value for moneyCanon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM
Pro & enterprise useTie
BeginnersTie

Inferred from each camera's pros and review focus. Treat as a starting point, then read the full reviews for nuance.

Common questions

Is the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM better than the SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB UHS-I?

It depends on what you shoot. Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM scores 4.7/5 in our review, while the SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB UHS-I scores 4.9/5. See the spec table and use-case breakdown above for our verdict.

Which is cheaper, the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM or the SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB UHS-I?

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM sells around $2899, and SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB UHS-I around $24.99. The SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB UHS-I is the cheaper of the two.

Which one is better for beginners?

Both are capable, but beginners usually do better with whichever has the simpler interface and more forgiving autofocus. Read the "Winner by use case" section above for our specific call.

Should I upgrade from the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM to the SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB UHS-I?

Only if the gap in features you actually use is wide. If you already own one, the marginal upgrade is rarely worth the cost unless a specific shortcoming is blocking your work.

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