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
Sony
FE 85mm F1.8
Sony E Mount
FE 85mm F1.8 — 85mm f/1.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.
$599
Launch priceReleased Feb 2017
RF 50mm F1.2L USM is 1.8 years newer.
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Wins
RF 50mm F1.2L USM
Wins
FE 85mm F1.8
1 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BFE 85mm F1.8 has lower Weight (371 g vs 950 g)
- 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)
- BFE 85mm F1.8 has lower Min focus distance (30 cm vs 40 cm)
- ARF 50mm F1.2L USM has higher Max magnification (0.19 × vs 0.15 ×)
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
- ✓
Special elements
Adds 1 UD, 1 Aspherical
- ✓
Weather sealing
Only RF 50mm F1.2L USM supports it
- ✓
Control ring
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
- ✓
Max magnification
0.19 × vs 0.15 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose the FE 85mm F1.8
- ✓
Special elements
Adds Aspherical
- ✓
Weight
371 g vs 950 g — lower is better
- ✓
Min focus distance
30 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better
- ✓
Diameter
81 mm vs 89 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Length
102 mm vs 108 mm — lower is better
Shared specifications
Internal focus
Both support internal focus
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
FE 85mm F1.8
Pros
- ✓Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
- ✓Lightweight design easy to carry all day
- ✓Native Sony E mount compatibility
Cons
- –Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the RF 50mm F1.2L USM and FE 85mm F1.8 at major authorized retailers.
Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM
Sony FE 85mm F1.8
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.