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RF 10-20mm F4 L IS USM

Canon

RF 10-20mm F4 L IS USM

Canon RF Mount

RF 10-20mm F4 L IS USM — 10–20mm f/4 for Canon RF, a popular choice in the canon lineup.

$2,299

Launch price

Released Oct 2023

vs

Sony

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

Sony E Mount

Exquisite resolution and dreamy bokeh combine in a masterful f/1.2 prime.

$1,999

Launch price

Released Mar 2021

RF 10-20mm F4 L IS USM is 2.6 years newer.

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Wins

4categories

RF 10-20mm F4 L IS USM

Video & HybridLandscape

Wins

3categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 10-20mm F4 L IS USM wins 3 categories·FE 50mm F1.2 GM wins 2 categories
  • ARF 10-20mm F4 L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5.5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/4)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/4)
  • ARF 10-20mm F4 L IS USM has lower Min focus distance (24 cm vs 40 cm)
  • ARF 10-20mm F4 L IS USM has lower Weight (620 g vs 778 g)

Key specs at a glance

RF 10-20mm F4 L IS USMFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal Length10-20 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/4f/1.2
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5.5 stopsNo
Weight620 g778 g
Min Focus24 cm40 cm
Filter Size77 mm72 mm

Size and weight, to scale

RF 10-20mm F4 L IS USM shown to scale

RF 10-20mm F4 L IS USM

84 × 113 mm

620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

87 × 108 mm

778 g (1.72 lb / 27.44 oz)

RF 10-20mm F4 L IS USM is 5mm longer and 3mm narrower than FE 50mm F1.2 GM.

RF 10-20mm F4 L IS USM is 158 g lighter than FE 50mm F1.2 GM.

Diameter (⌀) is the maximum barrel width; length is measured from the mount to the front of the lens.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseRF 10-20mm F4 L IS USMFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Portrait
2.5Limited
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
4.5Fair
Landscape
8.0Excellent
3.0Limited
Travel
3.5Limited
2.0Limited
Wildlife
5.5Fair
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.0Limited
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the RF 10-20mm F4 L IS USM

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 UD, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super UD

  • OIS effectiveness

    5.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only RF 10-20mm F4 L IS USM supports it

  • Min focus distance

    24 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    620 g vs 778 g — lower is better

  • Diameter

    83.6 mm vs 87 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.2 GM

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 XA (extreme aspherical)

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Length

    108 mm vs 112.8 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Max magnification

Both 0.17 ×

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

RF 10-20mm F4 L IS USM

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

Pros

  • Outstanding sharpness wide open at f/1.2
  • Stunningly smooth, circular bokeh with 11 aperture blades
  • Extremely quiet and fast autofocus tracking
  • Manageable size and weight for an f/1.2 lens

Cons

  • Expensive investment for a single focal length
  • Heavy compared to standard f/1.8 options
  • Some visible vignetting wide open

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 10-20mm F4 L IS USM and FE 50mm F1.2 GM at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 10-20mm F4 L IS USM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal length (Min)
10 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
20 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/4
f/1.2+3.5 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/4
f/1.2+3.5 stops wider
Elements
16
14
Groups
12
10
Special elements
2 UD, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super UD
3 XA (extreme aspherical)
RF 10-20mm F4 L IS USM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Min focus distance
24 cm−16 cm less
40 cm
Max magnification
0.17 ×
0.17 ×
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 10-20mm F4 L IS USM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5.5 stops
0 stops
RF 10-20mm F4 L IS USM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Weight
620 g−158 g less
778 g
Length
112.8 mm
108 mm−5 mm less
Diameter
83.6 mm−3 mm less
87 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
72 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
RF 10-20mm F4 L IS USM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Lens mount
Canon RF
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.