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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 85mm F1.2L USM

Canon RF Mount

The definitive portrait prime for RF — f/1.2 aperture delivers unmatched subject separation and dreamy backgrounds.

$2,699

Launch price

Released Feb 2019

RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM is 1.6 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM

Sports & ActionMacro & Close-up

Wins

2categories

RF 85mm F1.2L 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 85mm F1.2L USM wins 1 categories
  • ARF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM has lower Min focus distance (14 cm vs 85 cm)
  • ARF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM has lower Weight (270 g vs 1195 g)
  • ARF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM has higher Max magnification (0.5 × vs 0.12 ×)
  • ARF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM has lower Length (63.1 mm vs 117 mm)
  • BRF 85mm F1.2L 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 85mm F1.2L USM
Focal Length24 mm85 mm
Max Aperturef/1.8f/1.2
MountCanon RFCanon RF
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight270 g1195 g
Min Focus14 cm85 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 85mm F1.2L USM

103 × 117 mm

1195 g (2.63 lb / 42.15 oz)

RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM is 54mm shorter and 29mm narrower than RF 85mm F1.2L USM.

RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM is 925 g lighter than RF 85mm F1.2L 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 85mm F1.2L USM
Portrait
6.0Good
10.0Excellent
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 85 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    270 g vs 1195 g — lower is better

  • Length

    63.1 mm vs 117 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.5 × vs 0.12 × — higher is better

  • Diameter

    74.4 mm vs 103 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the RF 85mm F1.2L USM

  • Weather sealing

    Only RF 85mm F1.2L USM supports it

  • Control ring

    Only RF 85mm F1.2L 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 85mm F1.2L USM

Pros

  • Class-leading portrait focal length with f/1.2 aperture
  • Exceptional subject isolation and bokeh quality
  • Excellent eye-AF tracking on Canon R bodies
  • Premium L-series weather sealing

Cons

  • Very heavy (1195g) — tiring for handheld sessions
  • Expensive flagship pricing
  • No built-in stabilization

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM and RF 85mm F1.2L 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 85mm F1.2L USM
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
85 mm
Focal length (Max)
24 mm
85 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
1 UD, 1 Aspherical
RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
RF 85mm F1.2L USM
Min focus distance
14 cm−71 cm less
85 cm
Max magnification
0.5 ×4.2× more
0.12 ×
Autofocus motor
STM
Ring USM
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
RF 85mm F1.2L USM
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
RF 85mm F1.2L USM
Weight
270 g−925 g less
1195 g
Length
63.1 mm−54 mm less
117 mm
Diameter
74.4 mm−29 mm less
103 mm
Filter thread size
52 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
No
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
RF 85mm F1.2L 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.