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Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM vs Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

CanonRF 1200mm F8L IS USMCanonRF 45mm F1.2 STM
Overview
ReleasedMay 2022November 2025
Optics
Lens typePrimePrime
Focal length1,200 mm45 mm
Maximum aperturef/8f/1.2
Minimum aperturef/64f/16
Optical constructionTwenty-six elements in eighteen groupsNine elements in seven groups
Special elementsTwo fluorite elements, one Super UD and one UD elementOne plastic-moulded aspherical element (Canon USA)
CoatingsSuper Spectra and ASC; fluorine coating on the front elementSuper Spectra coating
Aperture detailMaximum f/8; minimum f/64f/1.2–16
DiaphragmNine circular bladesNine aperture blades
Angle of viewFull-frame diagonal 2°05′; horizontal 1°45′; vertical 1°10′43°35′ horizontal, 29°50′ vertical and 51°20′ diagonal on full frame
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon RFCanon RF
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityCanon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R camerasCanon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle
Teleconverter supportRF 1.4× gives 1680 mm f/11 with 0.41× magnification; RF 2× gives 2400 mm f/16 with 0.60×; AF and IS operate with either extenderCanon RF extenders not compatible
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance4.3 m0.45 m
Maximum magnification0.29×0.13×
Optical stabilisationYesNo
Autofocus detailRing-type USM; electronic full-time manual focus requires compatible body settings; original EOS R, RP and Ra are unsupported, and R5/R6 require firmware 1.3.0 or laterGear-type STM autofocus with magnetic focus-position detection; full-time electronic manual focus
Focus distance detail4.3 m minimum focus; full range, 4.3–30 m and 30 m–infinity limiter settings; three manual-focus speeds and two stored focus presetsMinimum focusing distance 0.45 m; Canon does not separately specify AF/MF distances
Magnification detail0.29× maximum magnification; approximately 241 × 161 mm subject fills a full-frame image at minimum focus–
Stabilisation detailFour-stop optical IS with EOS R, R5 or R3 under CIPA yaw/pitch conditions; modes 1, 2 and 3No optical image stabilisation (Canon USA)
Video featuresAperture control in 1/8-stop increments; power-focus mode with two speeds selected by playback-ring rotation–
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesNo
Filter diameter52 mm67 mm
Maximum diameter168 mm78 mm
Length537 mm75 mm
Weight3,340 g346 g
ControlsFocus and playback rings, AF/PF/MF selector, focus-speed and preset switches, and four lens-function buttonsSeparate focus and clickable control rings; AF/MF switch; no iris ring or lens function button (Canon USA)
Filter detail52 mm drop-in screw-type holder 52 (WIII), supplied with a clear Protect filter; compatible with optional drop-in polariser and gelatin holder67 mm front screw-in filter thread
Weather resistanceDust- and moisture-resistant construction with heat-reflective paintNo dust or weather resistant construction (Canon USA)
Dimensions detail168 mm maximum diameter × 537 mm lengthApproximately 78 mm maximum diameter × 75 mm length
Weight detailApproximately 3,340 g excluding the tripod collar; Canon Japan states the collar weighs approximately 160 gApproximately 346 g lens
Tripod mountSupplied tripod collar and support foot–
Lens hoodET-160 (WIII) included; shorter ET-160B optionalOptional ES-73B hood and LP1116 case; E-67 II front cap and Lens Dust Cap RF listed by Canon
In the boxLens, drop-in screw-type filter holder 52 (WIII) with 52 mm Protect filter, E-185C cap, RF dust cap, ET-160 (WIII) hood, LS1200 soft case, Lens Wide Strap B and user manualFront and rear lens caps (Amateur Photographer); hood not included
Release detailFirst sale in Japan on 26 May 2022, stated by Canon Japan support; the original announcement promised late MayCanon Japan's 14 November 2025 notice confirms first sale on 28 November 2025; Photography Blog instead reports availability from 20 November without a matching regional maker day, so no UK date is inferred

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