Cameraegg Compare logoCameraegg

Canon

RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM

Canon RF Mount

A compact, lightweight ultra-wide zoom with 5.5-stop IS — ideal for vloggers, travelers, and landscape photographers.

$1,699

Launch price

Released Aug 2022

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 14-35mm F4L IS USM is 1.4 years newer.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Wins

5categories

RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM

Video & HybridLandscape

Wins

3categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM wins 3 categories·FE 50mm F1.2 GM wins 2 categories
  • ARF 14-35mm F4L 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 14-35mm F4L IS USM has higher Max magnification (0.38 × vs 0.17 ×)
  • ARF 14-35mm F4L IS USM has lower Min focus distance (20 cm vs 40 cm)

Key specs at a glance

RF 14-35mm F4L IS USMFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal Length14-35 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/4f/1.2
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5.5 stopsNo
Weight540 g778 g
Min Focus20 cm40 cm
Filter Size77 mm72 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseRF 14-35mm F4L 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
6.0Good
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM

  • Special elements

    Adds 4 Aspherical, 2 UD

  • OIS effectiveness

    5.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Min focus distance

    20 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM supports it

  • Weight

    540 g vs 778 g — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.38 × vs 0.17 × — higher is better

  • Diameter

    84 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

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 50mm F1.2 GM supports it

  • Length

    108 mm vs 112 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM

Pros

  • Extremely compact for an ultra-wide zoom (540g)
  • 14mm ultra-wide perspective for dramatic scenes
  • 5.5-stop optical image stabilization
  • Center sharpness excellent across range

Cons

  • f/4 maximum aperture limits low-light use
  • More expensive than EF 16-35mm f/4 IS
  • Corner sharpness falls off at 14mm

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 14-35mm F4L IS USM and FE 50mm F1.2 GM at major authorized retailers.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal length (Min)
14 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
35 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
4 Aspherical, 2 UD
3 XA (extreme aspherical)
RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Min focus distance
20 cm−20 cm less
40 cm
Max magnification
0.38 ×2.2× more
0.17 ×
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5.5 stops
0 stops
RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Weight
540 g−238 g less
778 g
Length
112 mm
108 mm−4 mm less
Diameter
84 mm−3 mm less
87 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
72 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
RF 14-35mm F4L 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 May 2026.