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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
RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM

Canon

RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM

Canon RF Mount

Hybrid L-series 85mm with VCM autofocus, manual iris ring, and weather sealing.

$1,649

Launch price

Released Feb 2025

RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM is 4.4 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM

Sports & ActionMacro & Close-up

Wins

2categories

RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM

Portrait

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM wins 4 categories·RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM wins 1 categories
  • ARF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM has lower Min focus distance (14 cm vs 75 cm)
  • 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 Weight (270 g vs 636 g)
  • ARF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM has lower Length (63.1 mm vs 99.3 mm)
  • BRF 85mm F1.4 L VCM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.4 vs f/1.8)

Key specs at a glance

RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STMRF 85mm F1.4 L VCM
Focal Length24 mm85 mm
Max Aperturef/1.8f/1.4
MountCanon RFCanon RF
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight270 g636 g
Min Focus14 cm75 cm
Filter Size52 mm67 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 F1.4 L VCM shown to scale

RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM

77 × 99 mm

636 g (1.40 lb / 22.43 oz)

RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM is 36mm shorter and 2mm narrower than RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM.

RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM is 366 g lighter than RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM.

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 F1.4 L VCM
Portrait
6.0Good
9.5Excellent
Sports & Action
6.5Good
4.5Fair
Video & Hybrid
3.5Limited
4.5Fair
Landscape
5.0Fair
4.0Fair
Travel
5.0Fair
3.5Limited
Wildlife
0.0Limited
2.0Limited
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 75 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    270 g vs 636 g — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.5 × vs 0.12 × — higher is better

  • Length

    63.1 mm vs 99.3 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    74.4 mm vs 76.5 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM

  • Weather sealing

    Only RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM supports it

  • Control ring

    Only RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM supports it

  • 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

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 F1.4 L VCM

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 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM and RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM 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 F1.4 L VCM
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
85 mm
Focal length (Max)
24 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
11
14
Groups
9
10
Special elements
1 Aspherical, 1 UD
1 UD, 1 Aspherical
RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM
Min focus distance
14 cm−61 cm less
75 cm
Max magnification
0.5 ×4.2× more
0.12 ×
Autofocus motor
STM
VCM (Voice Coil Motor)
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM
Weight
270 g−366 g less
636 g
Length
63.1 mm−36 mm less
99.3 mm
Diameter
74.4 mm−2 mm less
76.5 mm
Filter thread size
52 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
No
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM
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.