Canon
RF 50mm F1.2L USM
Canon RF Mount
Canon's flagship 50mm f/1.2 prime — extraordinary resolution and creamy bokeh for portraits and low light.
$2,299
Launch priceReleased Dec 2018
Canon
RF 50mm F1.8 STM
Canon RF Mount
The affordable nifty fifty for RF — compact, sharp, and perfect for beginners exploring prime lenses.
$199
Launch priceReleased Nov 2020
RF 50mm F1.8 STM is 1.9 years newer.
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Wins
RF 50mm F1.2L USM
Wins
RF 50mm F1.8 STM
1 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BRF 50mm F1.8 STM has lower Weight (160 g vs 950 g)
- BRF 50mm F1.8 STM has lower Length (41 mm vs 108 mm)
- ARF 50mm F1.2L USM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/1.8)
- ARF 50mm F1.2L USM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/1.8)
- BRF 50mm F1.8 STM has lower Min focus distance (30 cm vs 40 cm)
Key specs at a glance
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
The verdict
The $2100 price gap between these lenses centers on the F1.2 maximum aperture and the addition of weather sealing.
Choose the Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM if you require the fastest possible aperture for low light and a Ring USM motor for internal focus. This lens features a complex 13-element optical design with UD and aspherical glass to maintain performance at wide apertures.
Choose the Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM if portability is your priority, as it weighs only 160g compared to the 950g F1.2 model. It also offers a superior 0.25x maximum magnification and a shorter 30cm minimum focus distance for closer subjects.
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose the RF 50mm F1.2L USM
- ✓
Special elements
Adds 1 UD, 1 Aspherical
- ✓
Weather sealing
Only RF 50mm F1.2L USM supports it
- ✓
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2 vs f/1.8 — lower is better
- ✓
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2 vs f/1.8 — lower is better
Reasons to choose the RF 50mm F1.8 STM
- ✓
Weight
160 g vs 950 g — lower is better
- ✓
Length
41 mm vs 108 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Min focus distance
30 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better
- ✓
Diameter
70 mm vs 89 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Max magnification
0.25 × vs 0.19 × — higher is better
Shared specifications
Internal focus
Both support internal focus
Control ring
Both support control ring
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
RF 50mm F1.2L USM
Pros
- ✓Stunning sharpness even wide open at f/1.2
- ✓Beautiful, smooth bokeh with 9 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
RF 50mm F1.8 STM
Pros
- ✓Incredible value at under $200
- ✓Very compact and lightweight (only 160g)
- ✓Sharp enough for most everyday photography
- ✓Silent STM motor ideal for video
Cons
- –Plastic build feels basic
- –No weather sealing
- –Narrow maximum aperture vs L-series primes
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the RF 50mm F1.2L USM and RF 50mm F1.8 STM at major authorized retailers.
Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM
Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.