Canon SLY500 500-1000mm
The constant f/8 aperture across a 500-1000mm zoom range, combined with a 2X teleconverter, delivers extreme reach for distant subjects in a relatively lightweight 1320g full-metal body. Its manual focus design and dust-resistant construction offer precise control and durability at a budget-friendly price point. This lens is best for hobbyist wildlife and astrophotography shooters using Canon DSLRs who need massive magnification without the cost of professional super-telephoto glass.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong stabilization (81th percentile) 81th
- Strong versatility (73th percentile) 73th
Cons
- Below average optical (5th percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (6th percentile)
- Below average af (14th percentile)
- Below average build (34th percentile)
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews — so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 22 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 500 |
| Focal Length Max | 1000 |
| Elements | 4 |
| Groups | 4 |
| ED Elements | 1 |
| Coating | multi-coated |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/8 |
| Min Aperture | 8 |
| Constant | Yes |
Build
| Mount | Canon RF |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 1.1 kg / 2.4 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 67 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 500 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Canon SLY500 500-1000mm | Nikon Nikkor 2166 | Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 | Meike 50mm F1.8 Full Frame STM Auto Focus Prime | Sony E E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Viltrox Air AF 15mm f/1.7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 500-1000mm | 55-200mm | 28-75mm | 50mm | 16-50mm | 15mm |
| Max Aperture | f/8 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/1.8 | f/3.5 | 16 |
| Mount | Canon RF | Nikon F | Sony E | Sony E | Sony E | Nikon Z |
| Stabilization | true | true | false | true | true | false |
| Weather Sealed | true | false | true | false | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 1080 | 255 | 550 | 369 | 107 | 180 |
| AF Type | manual focus only | Silent Wave Motor | VXD | STM | Autofocus | STM |
| Lens Type | telephoto | telephoto | zoom | Wide-Angle | zoom | prime |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Af | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon SLY500 500-1000mm | 14 | 59.4 | 33.6 | 50.9 | 5.1 | 61.3 | 5.7 | 73 | 62.1 | 81.3 |
| Nikon Nikkor 2166 Compare | 54.5 | 69.6 | 77.4 | 81.3 | 66.8 | 71.2 | 91.7 | 85.3 | 83.1 | 92.6 |
| Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 Compare | 54.5 | 86.1 | 64 | 84.8 | 91.2 | 83.7 | 80.8 | 78.6 | 91.7 | 36 |
| Meike 50mm F1.8 Full Frame STM Auto Focus Prime Compare | 86.9 | 96.1 | 63.7 | 95.6 | 39.6 | 92.8 | 86.2 | 34.2 | 50.2 | 81.3 |
| Sony E E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 54.5 | 74.9 | 97.9 | 35.1 | 64.9 | 76.9 | 0 | 83.6 | 78 | 81.3 |
| Viltrox Air AF 15mm f/1.7 Compare | 86.9 | 44.8 | 93.6 | 77.9 | 80.1 | 49.5 | 80.8 | 34.2 | 78 | 36 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Amazon 3 offers From $80
Price History
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
