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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 85mm F1.4 GM II

Sony E Mount

FE 85mm F1.4 GM II — 85mm f/1.4 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$1,999

Launch price

Released Sep 2024

FE 85mm F1.4 GM II is 1 year newer.

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Wins

3categories

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM

PortraitVideo & Hybrid

Wins

5categories

FE 85mm F1.4 GM II

PortraitSports & Action

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM wins 2 categories·FE 85mm F1.4 GM II wins 3 categories
  • ARF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5.5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BFE 85mm F1.4 GM II has lower Min focus distance (30 cm vs 70 cm)
  • ARF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM has higher Max magnification (0.29 × vs 0.15 ×)
  • BFE 85mm F1.4 GM II has lower Weight (642 g vs 935 g)
  • BFE 85mm F1.4 GM II has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.4 vs f/1.8)

Key specs at a glance

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USMFE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Focal Length135 mm85 mm
Max Aperturef/1.8f/1.4
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5.5 stopsNo
Weight935 g642 g
Min Focus70 cm30 cm
Filter Size82 mm77 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 85mm F1.4 GM II

81 × 140 mm

642 g (1.42 lb / 22.65 oz)

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM is 10mm shorter and 8mm wider than FE 85mm F1.4 GM II.

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM is 293 g heavier than FE 85mm F1.4 GM II.

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 85mm F1.4 GM II
Portrait
9.0Excellent
9.5Excellent
Sports & Action
7.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
8.5Excellent
4.5Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Travel
2.0Limited
3.5Limited
Wildlife
5.5Fair
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
1.5Limited

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 0.15 × — higher is better

  • Length

    130.4 mm vs 140 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical, ED

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 70 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    642 g vs 935 g — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.4 vs f/1.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.4 vs f/1.8 — lower is better

  • Diameter

    81 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 85mm F1.4 GM II

Pros

  • Bright f/1.4 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM and FE 85mm F1.4 GM II at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Focal length (Min)
135 mm
85 mm
Focal length (Max)
135 mm
85 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.8
f/1.4+0.7 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.8
f/1.4+0.7 stops wider
Elements
12
14
Groups
9
11
Special elements
1 UD, 1 Aspherical
Aspherical, ED
RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Min focus distance
70 cm
30 cm−40 cm less
Max magnification
0.29 ×+93%
0.15 ×
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5.5 stops
0 stops
RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Weight
935 g
642 g−293 g less
Length
130.4 mm−10 mm less
140 mm
Diameter
89 mm
81 mm−8 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
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.