Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM vs Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonRF 45mm F1.2 STM | CanonRF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | November 2025 | November 2024 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Prime | Zoom |
| Focal length | 45 mm | 70–200 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.2 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 | f/22 |
| Optical construction | Nine elements in seven groups | 18 elements in 15 groups |
| Special elements | One plastic-moulded aspherical element (Canon USA) | Three aspherical elements including two glass-moulded and one replica; two Super UD elements and one UD element, with the UD glass-moulded aspherical element also counted among the asphericals |
| Coatings | Super Spectra coating | ASC and Super Spectra; fluorine coating on front element |
| Aperture detail | f/1.2–16 | Constant f/2.8 maximum and f/22 minimum; smooth electronic iris ring |
| Diaphragm | Nine aperture blades | 11 circular aperture blades |
| Angle of view | 43°35′ horizontal, 29°50′ vertical and 51°20′ diagonal on full frame | 29°–10° horizontal, 19°30′–7° vertical and 34°–12° 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 | Canon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle; stills iris-ring operation depends on camera support |
| Teleconverter support | Canon RF extenders not compatible | RF 1.4x gives 98–280 mm f/4 with 0.42× maximum magnification; RF 2x gives 140–400 mm f/5.6 with 0.6×; autofocus and stabilisation retained |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.45 m | 0.49 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.13× | 0.3× |
| Optical stabilisation | No | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | Gear-type STM autofocus with magnetic focus-position detection; full-time electronic manual focus | Dual Nano USM motors independently drive two focusing groups for electronic floating focus control; full-time manual focus |
| Focus distance detail | Minimum focusing distance 0.45 m; Canon does not separately specify AF/MF distances | Closest focus 0.49 m at 70 mm and 0.68 m at 200 mm; separate AF/MF distance modes not published |
| Magnification detail | – | 0.2× at 70 mm and 0.3× at 200 mm (Canon Japan) |
| Stabilisation detail | No optical image stabilisation (Canon USA) | Lens OIS 5.5 stops at centre with EOS R8 at 200 mm; combined OIS/IBIS 7.5 centre and seven corner stops with EOS R1 at 200 mm under Canon's CIPA-2024 conditions |
| Video features | – | Optically suppressed focus breathing and electronic floating focus control; optional PZ-E2/PZ-E2B adapters provide motorised zoom; iris operation in stills depends on camera and firmware |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | No | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | 82 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 78 mm | 88.5 mm |
| Length | 75 mm | 199 mm |
| Weight | 346 g (better) | 1,115 g |
| Controls | Separate focus and clickable control rings; AF/MF switch; no iris ring or lens function button (Canon USA) | Control, focus, zoom and iris rings; iris Auto lock; lens function buttons |
| Zoom design | – | Internal zoom with 70° rotation; barrel length remains constant |
| Filter detail | 67 mm front screw-in filter thread | 82 mm front screw-in filter thread |
| Weather resistance | No dust or weather resistant construction (Canon USA) | Dust and moisture resistant construction with mount gasket; maker states it cannot completely prevent ingress and requires attachment to a camera |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 78 mm maximum diameter × 75 mm length | Approximately 88.5 mm maximum diameter × 199 mm length; same barrel size for white and black versions |
| Weight detail | Approximately 346 g lens | White 1115 g and black 1110 g, excluding tripod mount; headline uses photographed white model |
| Tripod mount | – | Tripod foot removable; PetaPixel notes no Arca-Swiss profile or 90° collar click stops |
| Lens hood | Optional ES-73B hood and LP1116 case; E-67 II front cap and Lens Dust Cap RF listed by Canon | White ET-88C (WIII) or black ET-88C (B); LZ1328 case and E-82 II/Lens Dust Cap RF listed as accessories |
| In the box | Front and rear lens caps (Amateur Photographer); hood not included | ET-88C lens hood (Web Cameraman) |
| Release detail | 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 | Canon Camera Museum confirms marketed November 2024; Photography Blog preview reports 14 November UK/Europe/US, while Web Cameraman reports 29 November Japan; precise regional retail days are secondary and headline retains maker-confirmed month |
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