Request a product

Canon RF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZ 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 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZCanonRF 45mm F1.2 STM
Overview
ReleasedJune 2026November 2025
Optics
Lens typeZoomPrime
Focal length20–50 mm45 mm
Maximum aperturef/4f/1.2
Minimum aperturef/22f/16
Optical construction13 elements in 11 groupsNine elements in seven groups
Special elementsTwo glass-moulded aspherical and three UD elementsOne plastic-moulded aspherical element (Canon USA)
CoatingsASC and Super Spectra; fluorine coating on the front elementSuper Spectra coating
Aperture detailConstant maximum f/4, minimum f/22 throughout the rangef/1.2–16
DiaphragmNine aperture bladesNine aperture blades
Angle of viewHorizontal 84°–40°, vertical 62°–27° and diagonal 94°–46° on full frame43°35′ horizontal, 29°50′ vertical and 51°20′ diagonal on full frame
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon RFCanon RF
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityCanon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle; power-zoom control from camera body or remote devices depends on compatible model and firmwareCanon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle
Teleconverter supportCanon RF extenders not compatibleCanon RF extenders not compatible
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.24 m0.45 m
Maximum magnification0.33×0.13×
Optical stabilisationYesNo
Autofocus detailNano USM autofocus; full-time manual focus; maker rear-focus design retains length during focusingGear-type STM autofocus with magnetic focus-position detection; full-time electronic manual focus
Focus distance detail–Minimum focusing distance 0.45 m; Canon does not separately specify AF/MF distances
Magnification detailMaker maximum magnification 0.14× at 20 mm or 0.33× at 50 mm; no AF/MF mode specified in the table–
Stabilisation detailMaker six-stop optical IS or combined camera/lens eight stops at centre and corners under CIPA-2024, at maximum focal length with its specified camera; not guaranteed in every shooting setupNo optical image stabilisation (Canon USA)
Video featuresInternal multi-speed power zoom and optically suppressed focus breathing; zoom ring switches between powered and conventional manual operation–
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesNo
Filter diameter67 mm67 mm
Maximum diameter79.9 mm78 mm
Length98.4 mm75 mm
Weight420 g346 g
ControlsCustomisable control ring, focus ring and zoom ring; PZ/MZ selector, custom button, AF/MF and stabiliser switches (Digital Camera World; ePHOTOzine)Separate focus and clickable control rings; AF/MF switch; no iris ring or lens function button (Canon USA)
Zoom designInternal zoom/focus keeps barrel length fixed; ePHOTOzine describes conventional mechanical manual zoom, while Digital Camera World's prose calls it fly-by-wire; no silent choice between those reviewer descriptions–
Filter detail67 mm front screw-in filter thread67 mm front screw-in filter thread
Weather resistanceDust and moisture resistant with mount gasket; maker warns camera attachment is required and protection cannot prevent all dust or water ingress; no waterproof/IP rating inferredNo dust or weather resistant construction (Canon USA)
Dimensions detailApproximately 79.9 mm maximum diameter × 98.4 mm lengthApproximately 78 mm maximum diameter × 75 mm length
Weight detailApproximately 420 g lensApproximately 346 g lens
Lens hoodES-73B; maker lists E-67 II cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and LP1219 pouch as accessoriesOptional ES-73B hood and LP1116 case; E-67 II front cap and Lens Dust Cap RF listed by Canon
In the box–Front and rear lens caps (Amateur Photographer); hood not included
Release detailCanon Japan's 11 June 2026 notice confirms first sale from 26 June 2026, resolving the earlier late-June launch wordingCanon 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

More comparisons