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
Nikon
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S
Nikon Z Mount
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S — 400mm f/4.5 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.
$12,499
Launch priceReleased Sep 2024
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S is 5.8 years newer.
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Wins
RF 50mm F1.2L USM
Wins
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BNIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S has higher OIS effectiveness (5.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- ARF 50mm F1.2L USM has lower Min focus distance (40 cm vs 250 cm)
- ARF 50mm F1.2L USM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/4.5)
- ARF 50mm F1.2L USM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/4.5)
- ARF 50mm F1.2L USM has lower Weight (950 g vs 2770 g)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
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RF 50mm F1.2L USM
⌀90 × 108 mm
950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S
⌀104 × 276 mm
2770 g (6.11 lb / 97.71 oz)
RF 50mm F1.2L USM is 168mm shorter and 14mm narrower than NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S.
RF 50mm F1.2L USM is 1820 g lighter than NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S.
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 UD, 1 Aspherical
- ✓
Min focus distance
40 cm vs 250 cm — lower is better
- ✓
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2 vs f/4.5 — lower is better
- ✓
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2 vs f/4.5 — lower is better
- ✓
Weight
950 g vs 2770 g — lower is better
- ✓
Length
108 mm vs 276 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Diameter
89.8 mm vs 104 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Max magnification
0.19 × vs 0.18 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S
- ✓
Special elements
Adds 3 ED, 1 SR, 1 Fluorite
- ✓
OIS effectiveness
5.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
- ✓
Optical stabilization
Only NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S supports it
- ✓
Custom function button
Only NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S supports it
Shared specifications
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 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
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S
Pros
- ✓Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
- ✓Built-in optical image stabilization
- ✓Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
Cons
- –Premium price point
- –Relatively heavy for extended handheld use
- –Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the RF 50mm F1.2L USM and NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S at major authorized retailers.
Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM
Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed October 2026.