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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

Sony

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

Sony E Mount

Exquisite resolution and dreamy bokeh combine in a masterful f/1.2 prime.

$1,999

Launch price

Released Mar 2021

FE 50mm F1.2 GM is 2.3 years newer.

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Wins

0categories

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM

PortraitSports & Action

Wins

4categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

4 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM wins 0 categories·FE 50mm F1.2 GM wins 4 categories
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Min focus distance (40 cm vs 50 cm)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Weight (778 g vs 950 g)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Length (108 mm vs 111.5 mm)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Diameter (87 mm vs 89 mm)

Key specs at a glance

RF 35mm F1.2 L USMFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal Length35 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/1.2f/1.2
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight950 g778 g
Min Focus50 cm40 cm
Filter Size82 mm72 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

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

87 × 108 mm

778 g (1.72 lb / 27.44 oz)

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM is 4mm longer and 2mm wider than FE 50mm F1.2 GM.

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM is 172 g heavier than FE 50mm F1.2 GM.

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 USMFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Portrait
7.0Good
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
3.0Limited
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, 1 UD

Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.2 GM

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 XA (extreme aspherical)

  • Min focus distance

    40 cm vs 50 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    778 g vs 950 g — lower is better

  • Length

    108 mm vs 111.5 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    87 mm vs 89 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/1.2

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/1.2

Max magnification

Both 0.17 ×

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

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

Pros

  • Outstanding sharpness wide open at f/1.2
  • Stunningly smooth, circular bokeh with 11 aperture blades
  • Extremely quiet and fast autofocus tracking
  • Manageable size and weight for an f/1.2 lens

Cons

  • Expensive investment for a single focal length
  • Heavy compared to standard f/1.8 options
  • Some visible vignetting wide open

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 35mm F1.2 L USM and FE 50mm F1.2 GM at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal length (Min)
35 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
35 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2
f/1.2
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2
f/1.2
Elements
13
14
Groups
9
10
Special elements
3 Aspherical, 1 UD
3 XA (extreme aspherical)
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Min focus distance
50 cm
40 cm−10 cm less
Max magnification
0.17 ×
0.17 ×
Autofocus motor
Dual Nano USM
XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Weight
950 g
778 g−172 g less
Length
111.5 mm
108 mm−4 mm less
Diameter
89 mm
87 mm−2 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
72 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Lens mount
Canon RF
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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