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 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 priceReleased Feb 2019
RF 85mm F1.2L USM is 2 months newer.
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Wins
RF 50mm F1.2L USM
Wins
RF 85mm F1.2L USM
3 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- ARF 50mm F1.2L USM has lower Min focus distance (40 cm vs 85 cm)
- ARF 50mm F1.2L USM has higher Max magnification (0.19 × vs 0.12 ×)
- ARF 50mm F1.2L USM has lower Weight (950 g vs 1195 g)
- ARF 50mm F1.2L USM has lower Diameter (89 mm vs 103 mm)
- ARF 50mm F1.2L USM has lower Length (108 mm vs 117 mm)
Key specs at a glance
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 50mm F1.2L USM
- ✓
Min focus distance
40 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
- ✓
Length
108 mm vs 117 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Max magnification
0.19 × vs 0.12 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose the RF 85mm F1.2L USM
No major spec wins compared to RF 50mm F1.2L USM.
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 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 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 50mm F1.2L USM and RF 85mm F1.2L USM at major authorized retailers.
Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM
Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.