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Canon

RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM

Canon RF Mount

RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM — 24mm f/1.8 for Canon RF, a popular choice in the canon lineup.

$499

Launch price

Released Sep 2020

vs

Canon

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM

Canon RF Mount

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM — 35mm f/1.2 for Canon RF, a popular choice in the canon lineup.

$2,999

Launch price

Released Dec 2018

RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM is 1.8 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM

Sports & ActionMacro & Close-up

Wins

2categories

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM wins 4 categories·RF 35mm F1.2 L USM wins 1 categories
  • ARF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM has lower Min focus distance (14 cm vs 50 cm)
  • ARF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM has lower Weight (270 g vs 950 g)
  • ARF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM has higher Max magnification (0.5 × vs 0.17 ×)
  • ARF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM has lower Length (63.1 mm vs 111.5 mm)
  • BRF 35mm F1.2 L USM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/1.8)

Key specs at a glance

RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STMRF 35mm F1.2 L USM
Focal Length24 mm35 mm
Max Aperturef/1.8f/1.2
MountCanon RFCanon RF
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight270 g950 g
Min Focus14 cm50 cm
Filter Size52 mm82 mm

Size and weight, to scale

RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM

74 × 63 mm

270 g (0.60 lb / 9.52 oz)

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM

89 × 112 mm

950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)

RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM is 48mm shorter and 15mm narrower than RF 35mm F1.2 L USM.

RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM is 680 g lighter than RF 35mm F1.2 L USM.

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 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STMRF 35mm F1.2 L USM
Portrait
6.0Good
7.0Good
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
3.5Limited
4.5Fair
Landscape
5.0Fair
4.0Fair
Travel
5.0Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
0.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
6.5Good
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM

  • Min focus distance

    14 cm vs 50 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    270 g vs 950 g — lower is better

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 Aspherical

  • Length

    63.1 mm vs 111.5 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.5 × vs 0.17 × — higher is better

  • Diameter

    74.4 mm vs 89 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the RF 35mm F1.2 L USM

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 Aspherical

  • Weather sealing

    Only RF 35mm F1.2 L USM supports it

  • Control ring

    Only RF 35mm F1.2 L USM supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only RF 35mm F1.2 L USM supports it

  • 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

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM

Pros

  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day
  • Solid optical performance for the price tier
  • Native Canon RF mount compatibility

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM

Pros

  • Bright f/1.2 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM and RF 35mm F1.2 L USM at major authorized retailers.

Canon RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
35 mm
Focal length (Max)
24 mm
35 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
11
13
Groups
9
9
Special elements
1 Aspherical, 1 UD
3 Aspherical, 1 UD
RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
Min focus distance
14 cm−36 cm less
50 cm
Max magnification
0.5 ×2.9× more
0.17 ×
Autofocus motor
STM
Dual Nano USM
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
Weight
270 g−680 g less
950 g
Length
63.1 mm−48 mm less
111.5 mm
Diameter
74.4 mm−15 mm less
89 mm
Filter thread size
52 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
No
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
Lens mount
Canon RF
Canon RF
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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