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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 300mm F2.8 GM OSS

Sony E Mount

World's lightest 300mm F2.8 — 1470g with XD Linear AF, OSS, and G Master resolution.

$6,999

Launch price

Released Jan 2024

FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS is 4.9 years newer.

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Wins

6categories

RF 85mm F1.2L USM

PortraitSports & Action

Wins

2categories

FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS

Sports & ActionWildlife

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 85mm F1.2L USM wins 4 categories·FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS wins 1 categories
  • BFE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • ARF 85mm F1.2L USM has lower Min focus distance (85 cm vs 200 cm)
  • ARF 85mm F1.2L USM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • ARF 85mm F1.2L USM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • ARF 85mm F1.2L USM has lower Length (117 mm vs 265 mm)

Key specs at a glance

RF 85mm F1.2L USMFE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
Focal Length85 mm300 mm
Max Aperturef/1.2f/2.8
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNo5 stops
Weight1195 g1470 g
Min Focus85 cm200 cm
Filter Size82 mm40.5 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

FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS

124 × 265 mm

1470 g (3.24 lb / 51.85 oz)

RF 85mm F1.2L USM is 148mm shorter and 21mm narrower than FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS.

RF 85mm F1.2L USM is 275 g lighter than FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS.

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 USMFE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
Portrait
10.0Excellent
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
10.0Excellent
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
7.0Good
Landscape
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Travel
2.0Limited
2.0Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
8.5Excellent
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

  • Min focus distance

    85 cm vs 200 cm — lower is better

  • 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

  • Length

    117 mm vs 265 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    1195 g vs 1470 g — lower is better

  • Diameter

    103 mm vs 124 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 Super ED, 1 ED

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS supports it

  • Max magnification

    0.16 × 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 300mm F2.8 GM OSS

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

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 85mm F1.2L USM and FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS at major authorized retailers.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

RF 85mm F1.2L USM
FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
Focal length (Min)
85 mm
300 mm
Focal length (Max)
85 mm
300 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
21
Groups
9
17
Special elements
1 UD, 1 Aspherical
3 Super ED, 1 ED
RF 85mm F1.2L USM
FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
Min focus distance
85 cm−115 cm less
200 cm
Max magnification
0.12 ×
0.16 ×+33%
Autofocus motor
Ring USM
2 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 85mm F1.2L USM
FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
5 stops
RF 85mm F1.2L USM
FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
Weight
1195 g−275 g less
1470 g
Length
117 mm−148 mm less
265 mm
Diameter
103 mm−21 mm less
124 mm
Filter thread size
82 mm
40.5 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
RF 85mm F1.2L USM
FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
Lens mount
Canon RF
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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