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 priceReleased Dec 2018
Canon
RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM
Canon RF Mount
RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM — 800mm f/5.6 for Canon RF, a popular choice in the canon lineup.
$16,999
Launch priceReleased Feb 2022
RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM is 3.2 years newer.
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Wins
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
Wins
RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM
TL;DR — Key differences
- BRF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (4.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- ARF 35mm F1.2 L USM has lower Min focus distance (50 cm vs 400 cm)
- ARF 35mm F1.2 L USM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/5.6)
- ARF 35mm F1.2 L USM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/5.6)
- ARF 35mm F1.2 L USM has lower Length (111.5 mm vs 432 mm)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
⌀89 × 112 mm
950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM
⌀140 × 432 mm
3140 g (6.92 lb / 110.76 oz)
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM is 321mm shorter and 51mm narrower than RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM.
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM is 2190 g lighter than RF 800mm F5.6 L IS 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 35mm F1.2 L USM
- ✓
Min focus distance
50 cm vs 400 cm — lower is better
- ✓
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2 vs f/5.6 — lower is better
- ✓
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2 vs f/5.6 — lower is better
- ✓
Length
111.5 mm vs 432 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Weight
950 g vs 3140 g — lower is better
- ✓
Special elements
Adds 3 Aspherical
- ✓
Diameter
89 mm vs 140 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Max magnification
0.17 × vs 0.14 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose the RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM
- ✓
OIS effectiveness
4.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
- ✓
Special elements
Adds 2 Fluorite, 2 Super UD
- ✓
Optical stabilization
Only RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM supports it
Shared specifications
Internal focus
Both support internal focus
Weather sealing
Both support weather sealing
Control ring
Both support control ring
Custom function button
Both support custom function button
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
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
RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM
Pros
- ✓Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
- ✓Built-in optical image stabilization
- ✓Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
Cons
- –Premium price point
- –Relatively heavy for extended handheld use
- –Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the RF 35mm F1.2 L USM and RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM at major authorized retailers.
Canon RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
Canon RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.