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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 price

Released Dec 2018

vs

Tamron

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

Sony E Mount

An incredibly popular third-party zoom updated with vastly improved sharpness and autofocus.

$899

Launch price

Released Aug 2021

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 is 2.7 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

RF 50mm F1.2L USM

PortraitSports & Action

Wins

4categories

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

Sports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 50mm F1.2L USM wins 2 categories·28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 wins 3 categories
  • ARF 50mm F1.2L USM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • ARF 50mm F1.2L USM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • B28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has lower Min focus distance (18 cm vs 40 cm)
  • B28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has higher Max magnification (0.37 × vs 0.19 ×)
  • B28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has lower Weight (540 g vs 950 g)

Key specs at a glance

RF 50mm F1.2L USM28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Focal Length50 mm28-75 mm
Max Aperturef/1.2f/2.8
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight950 g540 g
Min Focus40 cm18 cm
Filter Size77 mm67 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseRF 50mm F1.2L USM28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Portrait
9.0Excellent
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
4.0Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Travel
2.0Limited
3.5Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
4.5Fair

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the RF 50mm F1.2L USM

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 UD, 1 Aspherical

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Control ring

    Only RF 50mm F1.2L USM supports it

  • Length

    108 mm vs 118 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 LD, 2 GM

  • Min focus distance

    18 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

  • Custom function button

    Only 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 supports it

  • Weight

    540 g vs 950 g — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.37 × vs 0.19 × — higher is better

  • Diameter

    76 mm vs 89 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

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

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

Pros

  • Superb value for money compared to first-party options
  • Excellent sharpness throughout the range, even at f/2.8
  • Very lightweight and compact (only 540g)
  • Fast VXD linear motor focus drive
  • Customizable lens functions via Tamron Lens Utility software

Cons

  • Starts at 28mm instead of the wider 24mm standard
  • Slightly weaker corner sharpness at 75mm wide open
  • Weather sealing is basic compared to Sony GM lenses

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 50mm F1.2L USM and 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 at major authorized retailers.

Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 50mm F1.2L USM
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Focal length (Min)
50 mm
28 mm
Focal length (Max)
50 mm
75 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
f/2.8
Elements
13
17
Groups
9
15
Special elements
1 UD, 1 Aspherical
2 LD, 2 GM
RF 50mm F1.2L USM
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Min focus distance
40 cm
18 cm−22 cm less
Max magnification
0.19 ×
0.37 ×+95%
Autofocus motor
Ring USM
VXD Linear Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 50mm F1.2L USM
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
RF 50mm F1.2L USM
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Weight
950 g
540 g−410 g less
Length
108 mm−10 mm less
118 mm
Diameter
89 mm
76 mm−13 mm less
Filter thread size
77 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
RF 50mm F1.2L USM
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Lens mount
Canon RF
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.