Canon RF 16–28mm F2.8 IS STM vs Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonRF 16–28mm F2.8 IS STM | CanonRF 45mm F1.2 STM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | February 2025 | November 2025 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Prime |
| Focal length | 16–28 mm | 45 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.2 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Optical construction | 16 elements in 13 groups | Nine elements in seven groups |
| Special elements | Four UD elements and two aspherical elements, including a large-diameter replica aspherical element | One plastic-moulded aspherical element (Canon USA) |
| Coatings | – | Super Spectra coating |
| Aperture detail | – | f/1.2–16 |
| Diaphragm | Nine blades | Nine aperture blades |
| Angle of view | Full-frame horizontal 98°–65°, vertical 74°10′–46° and diagonal 108°10′–75° | 43°35′ horizontal, 29°50′ vertical and 51°20′ diagonal on full frame |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Canon RF | Canon RF |
| Image circle | Full frame | Full frame |
| Compatibility | Canon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle. Physical 16–28 mm focal length, distinct from RF16mm F2.8 STM prime | Canon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle |
| Teleconverter support | – | Canon RF extenders not compatible |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.2 m | 0.45 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.26× | 0.13× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | No |
| Autofocus detail | Lead-screw STM autofocus and electronic full-time manual focus; inner focusing keeps lens length constant during focusing | Gear-type STM autofocus with magnetic focus-position detection; full-time electronic manual focus |
| Focus distance detail | Maker minimum focus distance 0.20 m at 28 mm; Digital Camera World reports 0.25 m at 16 mm. Maker AF/MF distinction absent and omitted | Minimum focusing distance 0.45 m; Canon does not separately specify AF/MF distances |
| Magnification detail | Maker maximum magnification 0.26× at 28 mm; no unpublished AF/MF distinction inferred | – |
| Stabilisation detail | Lens optical IS rated 5.5 stops at 28 mm with EOS R8, yaw/pitch under CIPA2024. Coordinated EOS R1 body/lens IS rated eight central and7.5 peripheral stops at28mm, yaw/pitch/roll. Digital Camera World measured about four stops on EOS R8 at16mm, a different test condition | No optical image stabilisation (Canon USA) |
| Video features | Maker describes smooth quiet movie autofocus; Digital Camera World reports minimal focus breathing | – |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | No |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 76.5 mm | 78 mm |
| Length | 91 mm | 75 mm |
| Weight | 445 g | 346 g (better) |
| Controls | Shared focus/control ring and AF/control/MF selector; separate zoom ring and IS switch | Separate focus and clickable control rings; AF/MF switch; no iris ring or lens function button (Canon USA) |
| Zoom design | Retractable zoom must be extended for shooting; maker length91mm stored,112.8mm at16mm and102.1mm at28mm. Camera-side electronic distortion correction is part of the optical design according to Canon Camera Museum | – |
| Filter detail | 67 mm front filter thread | 67 mm front screw-in filter thread |
| Weather resistance | Dust and moisture resistant construction requires attachment to a camera; cannot completely prevent dust or water ingress and is not waterproof | No dust or weather resistant construction (Canon USA) |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately76.5mm maximum diameter ×91mm stored;112.8mm long at16mm and102.1mm at28mm | Approximately 78 mm maximum diameter × 75 mm length |
| Weight detail | Approximately445g lens | Approximately 346 g lens |
| Lens hood | EW-73E, sold separately | Optional ES-73B hood and LP1116 case; E-67 II front cap and Lens Dust Cap RF listed by Canon |
| In the box | UK maker store lists lens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and user manual | Front and rear lens caps (Amateur Photographer); hood not included |
| Release detail | February2025 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum; original Japan maker announcement and FAQ specify lateFebruary. No exact international first retail day inferred. Co-sold ultra-wide zooms are alternatives, with no inferred successor link | Canon 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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