Canon RF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZ vs Canon RF 85mm F1.4L VCM
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonRF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZ | CanonRF 85mm F1.4L VCM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | June 2026 | September 2025 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Prime |
| Focal length | 20–50 mm | 85 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 | f/1.4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Optical construction | 13 elements in 11 groups | 14 elements in 10 groups |
| Special elements | Two glass-moulded aspherical and three UD elements | One UD and one glass-moulded aspherical element |
| Coatings | ASC and Super Spectra; fluorine coating on the front element | ASC and Super Spectra; fluorine coating on the front element |
| Aperture detail | Constant maximum f/4, minimum f/22 throughout the range | f/1.4–16 with stepless iris ring; no click-stop option (Amateur Photographer) |
| Diaphragm | Nine aperture blades | 11 circular aperture blades |
| Angle of view | Horizontal 84°–40°, vertical 62°–27° and diagonal 94°–46° on full frame | 24° horizontal, 16° vertical and 28°30′ 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; power-zoom control from camera body or remote devices depends on compatible model and firmware | Canon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle; stills iris-ring support is body/firmware dependent |
| Teleconverter support | Canon RF extenders not compatible | Canon RF extenders not compatible |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.24 m | 0.75 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.33× | 0.12× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | No |
| Autofocus detail | Nano USM autofocus; full-time manual focus; maker rear-focus design retains length during focusing | Voice Coil Motor autofocus; electronic manual focus; maker notes movement/noise in unpowered internal VCM components is normal |
| Magnification detail | Maker maximum magnification 0.14× at 20 mm or 0.33× at 50 mm; no AF/MF mode specified in the table | – |
| Stabilisation detail | Maker 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 setup | No lens optical IS; maker separately lists camera IBIS CIPA-2024 performance of eight stops at the centre and seven at the corners under its camera/test conditions |
| Video features | Internal multi-speed power zoom and optically suppressed focus breathing; zoom ring switches between powered and conventional manual operation | Optically suppressed focus breathing and stepless iris control; UK maker footnote excludes stills iris-ring operation on EOS R/RP/Ra/R3/R5/R6/R6 Mark II/R7/R8/R10/R50/R100/R5 C even with current firmware |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 79.9 mm | 76.5 mm |
| Length | 98.4 mm | 99.3 mm |
| Weight | 420 g (better) | 636 g |
| Controls | Customisable control ring, focus ring and zoom ring; PZ/MZ selector, custom button, AF/MF and stabiliser switches (Digital Camera World; ePHOTOzine) | Customisable control ring, focus ring, iris ring with Auto-position lock, function button and AF/MF switch (Amateur Photographer) |
| Zoom design | Internal 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 detail | 67 mm front screw-in filter thread | 67 mm front screw-in filter thread; compatible Canon 67 mm Protect and PL-C B circular polarising filters |
| Weather resistance | Dust 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 inferred | Dust and moisture resistant with mount gasket; Canon states protection requires attachment to a camera and cannot prevent all dust or water ingress; no waterproof/IP rating inferred |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 79.9 mm maximum diameter × 98.4 mm length | Approximately 76.5 mm maximum diameter × 99.3 mm length |
| Weight detail | Approximately 420 g lens | Approximately 636 g lens |
| Lens hood | ES-73B; maker lists E-67 II cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and LP1219 pouch as accessories | ET-73C; maker lists E-67 II cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and LP1219 pouch as accessories |
| Release detail | Canon Japan's 11 June 2026 notice confirms first sale from 26 June 2026, resolving the earlier late-June launch wording | Canon Japan specifies first sale on 27 September 2025; no UK first-sale day inferred |
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