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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

Sony

FE 135mm F1.8 GM

Sony E Mount

FE 135mm F1.8 GM — 135mm f/1.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$1,899

Launch price

Released Feb 2019

Released within a month of each other.

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Wins

3categories

RF 85mm F1.2L USM

PortraitSports & Action

Wins

4categories

FE 135mm F1.8 GM

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 85mm F1.2L USM wins 3 categories·FE 135mm F1.8 GM wins 2 categories
  • BFE 135mm F1.8 GM has lower Min focus distance (30 cm vs 85 cm)
  • ARF 85mm F1.2L USM has lower Length (117 mm vs 183 mm)
  • ARF 85mm F1.2L USM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/1.8)
  • ARF 85mm F1.2L USM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/1.8)
  • BFE 135mm F1.8 GM has lower Diameter (81 mm vs 103 mm)

Key specs at a glance

RF 85mm F1.2L USMFE 135mm F1.8 GM
Focal Length85 mm135 mm
Max Aperturef/1.2f/1.8
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight1195 g950 g
Min Focus85 cm30 cm
Filter Size82 mm77 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseRF 85mm F1.2L USMFE 135mm F1.8 GM
Portrait
10.0Excellent
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
3.0Limited
Travel
2.0Limited
2.0Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
1.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 UD, 1 Aspherical

  • Length

    117 mm vs 183 mm — lower is better

  • 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

Reasons to choose the FE 135mm F1.8 GM

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 85 cm — lower is better

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 135mm F1.8 GM supports it

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 103 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    950 g vs 1195 g — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.15 × vs 0.12 × — higher is better

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 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

FE 135mm F1.8 GM

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Sony E mount compatibility

Cons

  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use
  • 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 FE 135mm F1.8 GM at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 85mm F1.2L USM
FE 135mm F1.8 GM
Focal length (Min)
85 mm
135 mm
Focal length (Max)
85 mm
135 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2+1.2 stops wider
f/1.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2+1.2 stops wider
f/1.8
Elements
13
14
Groups
9
11
Special elements
1 UD, 1 Aspherical
Aspherical
RF 85mm F1.2L USM
FE 135mm F1.8 GM
Min focus distance
85 cm
30 cm−55 cm less
Max magnification
0.12 ×
0.15 ×+25%
Autofocus motor
Ring USM
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 85mm F1.2L USM
FE 135mm F1.8 GM
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
RF 85mm F1.2L USM
FE 135mm F1.8 GM
Weight
1195 g
950 g−245 g less
Length
117 mm−66 mm less
183 mm
Diameter
103 mm
81 mm−22 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
RF 85mm F1.2L USM
FE 135mm F1.8 GM
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.