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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

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 85mm F1.2L USM is 2 months newer.

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Wins

5categories

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM

PortraitSports & Action

Wins

0categories

RF 85mm F1.2L USM

PortraitSports & Action

3 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM wins 5 categories·RF 85mm F1.2L USM wins 0 categories
  • ARF 35mm F1.2 L USM has lower Min focus distance (50 cm vs 85 cm)
  • ARF 35mm F1.2 L USM has higher Max magnification (0.17 × vs 0.12 ×)
  • ARF 35mm F1.2 L USM has lower Weight (950 g vs 1195 g)
  • ARF 35mm F1.2 L USM has lower Diameter (89 mm vs 103 mm)
  • ARF 35mm F1.2 L USM has lower Length (111.5 mm vs 117 mm)

Key specs at a glance

RF 35mm F1.2 L USMRF 85mm F1.2L USM
Focal Length35 mm85 mm
Max Aperturef/1.2f/1.2
MountCanon RFCanon RF
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight950 g1195 g
Min Focus50 cm85 cm
Filter Size82 mm82 mm

Size and weight, to scale

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM

89 × 112 mm

950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 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 35mm F1.2 L USM is 6mm shorter and 14mm narrower than RF 85mm F1.2L USM.

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM is 245 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 35mm F1.2 L USMRF 85mm F1.2L USM
Portrait
7.0Good
10.0Excellent
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Travel
2.0Limited
2.0Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 Aspherical

  • Custom function button

    Only RF 35mm F1.2 L USM supports it

  • Min focus distance

    50 cm vs 85 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    950 g vs 1195 g — lower is better

  • Diameter

    89 mm vs 103 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.17 × vs 0.12 × — higher is better

  • Length

    111.5 mm vs 117 mm — lower is better

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

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 Aspherical

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/1.2

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/1.2

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

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 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 35mm F1.2 L USM and RF 85mm F1.2L USM at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
RF 85mm F1.2L USM
Focal length (Min)
35 mm
85 mm
Focal length (Max)
35 mm
85 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2
f/1.2
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2
f/1.2
Elements
13
13
Groups
9
9
Special elements
3 Aspherical, 1 UD
1 UD, 1 Aspherical
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
RF 85mm F1.2L USM
Min focus distance
50 cm−35 cm less
85 cm
Max magnification
0.17 ×+42%
0.12 ×
Autofocus motor
Dual Nano USM
Ring USM
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
RF 85mm F1.2L USM
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
RF 85mm F1.2L USM
Weight
950 g−245 g less
1195 g
Length
111.5 mm−6 mm less
117 mm
Diameter
89 mm−14 mm less
103 mm
Filter thread size
82 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
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.