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RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM

Canon

RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM

Canon RF Mount

Hybrid L-series 85mm with VCM autofocus, manual iris ring, and weather sealing.

$1,649

Launch price

Released Feb 2025

vs

Sony

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

Sony E Mount

Exquisite resolution and dreamy bokeh combine in a masterful f/1.2 prime.

$1,999

Launch price

Released Mar 2021

RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM is 3.9 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM

Portrait

Wins

4categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM wins 1 categories·FE 50mm F1.2 GM wins 4 categories
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Min focus distance (40 cm vs 75 cm)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has higher Max magnification (0.17 × vs 0.12 ×)
  • ARF 85mm F1.4 L VCM has lower Weight (636 g vs 778 g)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/1.4)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/1.4)

Key specs at a glance

RF 85mm F1.4 L VCMFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal Length85 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/1.4f/1.2
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight636 g778 g
Min Focus75 cm40 cm
Filter Size67 mm72 mm

Size and weight, to scale

RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM shown to scale

RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM

77 × 99 mm

636 g (1.40 lb / 22.43 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 50mm F1.2 GM

87 × 108 mm

778 g (1.72 lb / 27.44 oz)

RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM is 9mm shorter and 11mm narrower than FE 50mm F1.2 GM.

RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM is 142 g lighter than FE 50mm F1.2 GM.

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 F1.4 L VCMFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Portrait
9.5Excellent
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
4.5Fair
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
3.0Limited
Travel
3.5Limited
2.0Limited
Wildlife
2.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 UD, 1 Aspherical

  • Weight

    636 g vs 778 g — lower is better

  • Diameter

    76.5 mm vs 87 mm — lower is better

  • Length

    99.3 mm vs 108 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.2 GM

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 XA (extreme aspherical)

  • Min focus distance

    40 cm vs 75 cm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/1.4 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/1.4 — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.17 × 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

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM

Pros

  • Bright f/1.4 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

Pros

  • Outstanding sharpness wide open at f/1.2
  • Stunningly smooth, circular bokeh with 11 aperture blades
  • Extremely quiet and fast autofocus tracking
  • Manageable size and weight for an f/1.2 lens

Cons

  • Expensive investment for a single focal length
  • Heavy compared to standard f/1.8 options
  • Some visible vignetting wide open

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM and FE 50mm F1.2 GM at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal length (Min)
85 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
85 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.4
f/1.2+0.4 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.4
f/1.2+0.4 stops wider
Elements
14
14
Groups
10
10
Special elements
1 UD, 1 Aspherical
3 XA (extreme aspherical)
RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Min focus distance
75 cm
40 cm−35 cm less
Max magnification
0.12 ×
0.17 ×+42%
Autofocus motor
VCM (Voice Coil Motor)
XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Weight
636 g−142 g less
778 g
Length
99.3 mm−9 mm less
108 mm
Diameter
76.5 mm−11 mm less
87 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
72 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
11
RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM
FE 50mm F1.2 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 June 2026.