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Canon

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM

Canon RF Mount

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM — 135mm f/1.8 for Canon RF, a popular choice in the canon lineup.

$2,099

Launch price

Released Aug 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 135mm F1.8 L IS USM is 2.4 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM

PortraitVideo & Hybrid

Wins

6categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM wins 2 categories·FE 50mm F1.2 GM wins 3 categories
  • ARF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5.5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Min focus distance (40 cm vs 70 cm)
  • ARF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM has higher Max magnification (0.29 × vs 0.17 ×)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/1.8)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/1.8)

Key specs at a glance

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USMFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal Length135 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/1.8f/1.2
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5.5 stopsNo
Weight935 g778 g
Min Focus70 cm40 cm
Filter Size82 mm72 mm

Size and weight, to scale

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM

89 × 130 mm

935 g (2.06 lb / 32.98 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 135mm F1.8 L IS USM is 22mm longer and 2mm wider than FE 50mm F1.2 GM.

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM is 157 g heavier 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 135mm F1.8 L IS USMFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Portrait
9.0Excellent
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
7.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
8.5Excellent
4.5Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
3.0Limited
Travel
2.0Limited
2.0Limited
Wildlife
5.5Fair
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 UD, 1 Aspherical

  • OIS effectiveness

    5.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM supports it

  • Max magnification

    0.29 × vs 0.17 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.2 GM

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 XA (extreme aspherical)

  • Min focus distance

    40 cm vs 70 cm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/1.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/1.8 — lower is better

  • Length

    108 mm vs 130.4 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    778 g vs 935 g — lower is better

  • Diameter

    87 mm vs 89 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

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 135mm F1.8 L IS USM

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use

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 135mm F1.8 L IS USM and FE 50mm F1.2 GM at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal length (Min)
135 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
135 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.8
f/1.2+1.2 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.8
f/1.2+1.2 stops wider
Elements
12
14
Groups
9
10
Special elements
1 UD, 1 Aspherical
3 XA (extreme aspherical)
RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Min focus distance
70 cm
40 cm−30 cm less
Max magnification
0.29 ×+71%
0.17 ×
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5.5 stops
0 stops
RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Weight
935 g
778 g−157 g less
Length
130.4 mm
108 mm−22 mm less
Diameter
89 mm
87 mm−2 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
72 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
RF 135mm F1.8 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.