Canon
RF 28mm F2.8 STM
Canon RF Mount
World's smallest RF lens — 120g pancake with STM AF and 0.23m close focus.
$299
Launch priceReleased May 2023
Canon
RF 50mm F1.2L USM
Canon RF Mount
Flagship RF 50mm f/1.2 L prime with Ring USM, 15-element design, and weather-sealed L-series build.
$2,299
Launch priceReleased Dec 2018
RF 28mm F2.8 STM is 4.4 years newer.
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Wins
RF 28mm F2.8 STM
Wins
RF 50mm F1.2L USM
1 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- ARF 28mm F2.8 STM has lower Weight (120 g vs 950 g)
- ARF 28mm F2.8 STM has lower Length (24.7 mm vs 108 mm)
- BRF 50mm F1.2L USM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
- BRF 50mm F1.2L USM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
- ARF 28mm F2.8 STM has lower Min focus distance (23 cm vs 40 cm)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this lens size diff to shareRF 28mm F2.8 STM
⌀69 × 25 mm
120 g (0.26 lb / 4.23 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
RF 50mm F1.2L USM
⌀90 × 108 mm
950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)
RF 28mm F2.8 STM is 83mm shorter and 21mm narrower than RF 50mm F1.2L USM.
RF 28mm F2.8 STM is 830 g lighter than RF 50mm 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
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose the RF 28mm F2.8 STM
- ✓
Special elements
Adds 3 PMo
- ✓
Weight
120 g vs 950 g — lower is better
- ✓
Length
24.7 mm vs 108 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Min focus distance
23 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better
- ✓
Diameter
69.2 mm vs 89.8 mm — lower is better
Reasons to choose the RF 50mm F1.2L USM
- ✓
Special elements
Adds 1 UD, 1 Aspherical
- ✓
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better
- ✓
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better
- ✓
Weather sealing
Only RF 50mm F1.2L USM supports it
- ✓
Control ring
Only RF 50mm F1.2L USM supports it
- ✓
Max magnification
0.19 × vs 0.17 × — higher is better
Shared specifications
Internal focus
Both support internal focus
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
RF 28mm F2.8 STM
Pros
- ✓Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
- ✓Lightweight design easy to carry all day
- ✓Native Canon RF mount compatibility
Cons
- –Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value
RF 50mm F1.2L USM
Pros
- ✓Stunning sharpness even wide open at f/1.2
- ✓Beautiful, smooth bokeh with 10 rounded aperture blades
- ✓Fast and accurate Dual Pixel AF with Ring USM
- ✓Weather-sealed L-series construction
Cons
- –Heavy for a 50mm prime (950g)
- –Premium price for a single focal length
- –No optical image stabilization
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the RF 28mm F2.8 STM and RF 50mm F1.2L USM at major authorized retailers.
Canon RF 28mm F2.8 STM
Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.