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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
RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

Canon

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

Canon RF Mount

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM — 18–150mm f/3.5-6.3 for Canon RF, a popular choice in the canon lineup.

$329

Launch price

Released May 2022

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM is 3.4 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM

PortraitSports & Action

Wins

6categories

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

TravelMacro & Close-up

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM wins 2 categories·RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM wins 3 categories
  • BRF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM has higher OIS effectiveness (4.5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • ARF 35mm F1.2 L USM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/6.3)
  • BRF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM has lower Weight (310 g vs 950 g)
  • BRF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM has lower Min focus distance (17 cm vs 50 cm)
  • ARF 35mm F1.2 L USM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/3.5)

Key specs at a glance

RF 35mm F1.2 L USMRF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM
Focal Length35 mm18-150 mm
Max Aperturef/1.2f/3.5-6.3
MountCanon RFCanon RF
CoverageFull FrameAPS-C
StabilizationNo4.5 stops
Weight950 g310 g
Min Focus50 cm17 cm
Filter Size82 mm55 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-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM shown to scale

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

69 × 84 mm

310 g (0.68 lb / 10.93 oz)

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM is 28mm longer and 20mm wider than RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM.

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM is 640 g heavier than RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM.

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-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM
Portrait
7.0Good
4.0Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
4.0Fair
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
5.0Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
5.0Fair
Travel
2.0Limited
7.0Good
Wildlife
3.0Limited
2.5Limited
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
6.0Good

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/6.3 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/3.5 — lower is better

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 Aspherical

  • Weather sealing

    Only RF 35mm F1.2 L USM supports it

  • Control ring

    Only RF 35mm F1.2 L USM supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only RF 35mm F1.2 L USM supports it

Reasons to choose the RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

  • OIS effectiveness

    4.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Weight

    310 g vs 950 g — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    17 cm vs 50 cm — lower is better

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 PMo

  • Optical stabilization

    Only RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM supports it

  • Max magnification

    0.44 × vs 0.17 × — higher is better

  • Length

    83.8 mm vs 111.5 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    68.6 mm vs 89 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

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-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 35mm F1.2 L USM and RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM at major authorized retailers.

Canon RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM
Focal length (Min)
35 mm
18 mm
Focal length (Max)
35 mm
150 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2+3.1 stops wider
f/3.5
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2+4.8 stops wider
f/6.3
Elements
13
17
Groups
9
13
Special elements
3 Aspherical, 1 UD
1 UD, 1 PMo
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM
Min focus distance
50 cm
17 cm−33 cm less
Max magnification
0.17 ×
0.44 ×2.6× more
Autofocus motor
Dual Nano USM
STM
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
4.5 stops
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM
Weight
950 g
310 g−640 g less
Length
111.5 mm
83.8 mm−28 mm less
Diameter
89 mm
68.6 mm−20 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
55 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
No
Diaphragm blades
9
7
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM
Lens mount
Canon RF
Canon RF
Format coverage
Full Frame
APS-C

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.