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Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM vs Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

CanonRF 45mm F1.2 STMCanonRF 50mm F1.8 STM
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2025December 2020
Optics
Lens typePrimePrime
Focal length45 mm50 mm
Maximum aperturef/1.2f/1.8
Minimum aperturef/16f/22
Optical constructionNine elements in seven groupsSix elements in five groups
Special elementsOne plastic-moulded aspherical element (Canon USA)One aspherical element
CoatingsSuper Spectra coatingSuper Spectra anti-reflection coating
Aperture detailf/1.2–16–
DiaphragmNine aperture bladesSeven blades
Angle of view43°35′ horizontal, 29°50′ vertical and 51°20′ diagonal on full frameFull-frame horizontal40°, vertical27°30′ and diagonal46°
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon RFCanon RF
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityCanon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circleCanon EOS R cameras; full-frame RF mount. Distinct from EF50mmF1.8STM and RF50mmF1.2LUSM
Teleconverter supportCanon RF extenders not compatibleCanon RF extenders not compatible
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.45 m0.3 m
Maximum magnification0.13×0.25×
Optical stabilisationNoNo
Autofocus detailGear-type STM autofocus with magnetic focus-position detection; full-time electronic manual focusSTM autofocus; electronic manual focus. Photography Blog reports selection of manual focus through the camera menu
Focus distance detailMinimum focusing distance 0.45 m; Canon does not separately specify AF/MF distancesMinimum focus distance0.30m; maker table does not distinguish AF and MF figures, so no mode inferred. Extending inner tube during close focusing, as documented by OpticalLimits
Magnification detail–Maker maximum magnification0.25×; no unpublished AF/MF distinction inferred
Stabilisation detailNo optical image stabilisation (Canon USA)No lens optical IS; compatible cameras may provide body stabilisation separately
Design
Dust and moisture resistantNo–
Filter diameter67 mm43 mm
Maximum diameter78 mm69.2 mm
Length75 mm40.5 mm
Weight346 g160 g
ControlsSeparate focus and clickable control rings; AF/MF switch; no iris ring or lens function button (Canon USA)Shared focus/control ring with focus-control selector; control mode can adjust camera settings
Filter detail67 mm front screw-in filter thread43mm front filter thread; maker lists Canon250D/500D close-up lenses and PL-C B circular polariser incompatible
Weather resistanceNo dust or weather resistant construction (Canon USA)UK maker dust/moisture resistance entry is a dash; OpticalLimits explicitly reports no weather sealing
Dimensions detailApproximately 78 mm maximum diameter × 75 mm lengthApproximately69.2mm maximum diameter ×40.5mm length, measured retracted by Canon
Weight detailApproximately 346 g lensApproximately160g lens
Lens hoodOptional ES-73B hood and LP1116 case; E-67 II front cap and Lens Dust Cap RF listed by CanonES-65B, sold separately
In the boxFront and rear lens caps (Amateur Photographer); hood not includedLens, E-43 front cap and Lens Dust Cap RF; hood and LP1014 pouch are optional according to UK maker specifications
Release detailCanon 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 inferredDecember2020 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum. Canon Canada scheduled mid-December2020 availability; Canon Japan records first sale24December2020. Headline retains month because the exact earliest international retail day is not documented; Japan's later day is not presented as a worldwide date

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