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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 price

Released Feb 2019

vs
RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

Canon

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

Canon RF Mount

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM — 18–150mm f/3.5-6.3 for Canon RF, a popular choice in the canon lineup.

$329

Launch price

Released May 2022

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM is 3.3 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

RF 85mm F1.2L USM

PortraitSports & Action

Wins

6categories

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

TravelMacro & Close-up

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 85mm F1.2L USM wins 1 categories·RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM wins 4 categories
  • BRF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM has higher OIS effectiveness (4.5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • ARF 85mm F1.2L USM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/6.3)
  • BRF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM has lower Min focus distance (17 cm vs 85 cm)
  • BRF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM has lower Weight (310 g vs 1195 g)
  • BRF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM has higher Max magnification (0.44 × vs 0.12 ×)

Key specs at a glance

RF 85mm F1.2L USMRF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM
Focal Length85 mm18-150 mm
Max Aperturef/1.2f/3.5-6.3
MountCanon RFCanon RF
CoverageFull FrameAPS-C
StabilizationNo4.5 stops
Weight1195 g310 g
Min Focus85 cm17 cm
Filter Size82 mm55 mm

Size and weight, to scale

RF 85mm F1.2L USM

103 × 117 mm

1195 g (2.63 lb / 42.15 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM shown to scale

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

69 × 84 mm

310 g (0.68 lb / 10.93 oz)

RF 85mm F1.2L USM is 33mm longer and 34mm wider than RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM.

RF 85mm F1.2L USM is 885 g heavier than RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 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

Use caseRF 85mm F1.2L USMRF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM
Portrait
10.0Excellent
4.0Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
4.0Fair
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
5.0Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
5.0Fair
Travel
2.0Limited
7.0Good
Wildlife
3.0Limited
2.5Limited
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
6.0Good

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the RF 85mm F1.2L USM

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/6.3 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/3.5 — lower is better

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 Aspherical

  • Weather sealing

    Only RF 85mm F1.2L USM supports it

  • Control ring

    Only RF 85mm F1.2L USM supports it

Reasons to choose the RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

  • OIS effectiveness

    4.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Min focus distance

    17 cm vs 85 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    310 g vs 1195 g — lower is better

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 PMo

  • Optical stabilization

    Only RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM supports it

  • Diameter

    68.6 mm vs 103 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.44 × vs 0.12 × — higher is better

  • Length

    83.8 mm vs 117 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

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

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 85mm F1.2L USM and RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM at major authorized retailers.

Canon RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 85mm F1.2L USM
RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM
Focal length (Min)
85 mm
18 mm
Focal length (Max)
85 mm
150 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2+3.1 stops wider
f/3.5
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2+4.8 stops wider
f/6.3
Elements
13
17
Groups
9
13
Special elements
1 UD, 1 Aspherical
1 UD, 1 PMo
RF 85mm F1.2L USM
RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM
Min focus distance
85 cm
17 cm−68 cm less
Max magnification
0.12 ×
0.44 ×3.7× more
Autofocus motor
Ring USM
STM
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 85mm F1.2L USM
RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
4.5 stops
RF 85mm F1.2L USM
RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM
Weight
1195 g
310 g−885 g less
Length
117 mm
83.8 mm−33 mm less
Diameter
103 mm
68.6 mm−34 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
55 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
No
Diaphragm blades
9
7
RF 85mm F1.2L USM
RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM
Lens mount
Canon RF
Canon RF
Format coverage
Full Frame
APS-C

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