Canon
RF 50mm F1.2L USM
Canon RF Mount
Flagship RF 50mm f/1.2 L prime with Ring USM, 15-element design, and weather-sealed L-series build.
$2,299
Launch priceReleased Dec 2018
Canon
RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM
Canon RF Mount
An affordable portrait and macro hybrid — f/2 aperture, 0.5x magnification, and 5-stop IS in a compact package.
$599
Launch priceReleased Jul 2020
RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM is 1.6 years newer.
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Wins
RF 50mm F1.2L USM
Wins
RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BRF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
- BRF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM has higher Max magnification (0.5 × vs 0.19 ×)
- BRF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM has lower Weight (500 g vs 950 g)
- ARF 50mm F1.2L USM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2)
- ARF 50mm F1.2L USM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/2)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this lens size diff to share
RF 50mm F1.2L USM
⌀90 × 108 mm
950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM
⌀79 × 78 mm
500 g (1.10 lb / 17.64 oz)
RF 50mm F1.2L USM is 30mm longer and 11mm wider than RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM.
RF 50mm F1.2L USM is 450 g heavier than RF 85mm F2 Macro 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
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose the RF 50mm F1.2L USM
- ✓
Special elements
Adds 1 Aspherical
- ✓
Weather sealing
Only RF 50mm F1.2L USM supports it
- ✓
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2 vs f/2 — lower is better
- ✓
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2 vs f/2 — lower is better
Reasons to choose the RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM
- ✓
OIS effectiveness
5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
- ✓
Optical stabilization
Only RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM supports it
- ✓
Weight
500 g vs 950 g — lower is better
- ✓
Max magnification
0.5 × vs 0.19 × — higher is better
- ✓
Length
78 mm vs 108 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Min focus distance
35 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better
- ✓
Diameter
79 mm vs 89.8 mm — lower 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 10 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 F2 Macro IS STM
Pros
- ✓Excellent value for portrait and close-up work
- ✓0.5x macro magnification built in
- ✓5-stop optical image stabilization
- ✓Compact and lightweight (500g)
Cons
- –f/2 not as shallow as f/1.2 L lenses
- –Plastic construction, not L-series
- –AF slightly slower than USM lenses
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the RF 50mm F1.2L USM and RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM at major authorized retailers.
Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM
Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.