Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM vs Canon RF 70–200mm F4 L IS USM
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonRF 45mm F1.2 STM | CanonRF 70–200mm F4 L IS USM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | November 2025 | March 2021 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Prime | Zoom |
| Focal length | 45 mm | 70–200 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.2 | f/4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 | f/32 |
| Optical construction | Nine elements in seven groups | Sixteen elements in eleven groups |
| Special elements | One plastic-moulded aspherical element (Canon USA) | Four UD elements; Air Sphere and fluorine coatings |
| Coatings | Super Spectra coating | – |
| Aperture detail | f/1.2–16 | – |
| Diaphragm | Nine aperture blades | Nine blades |
| Angle of view | 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 | Canon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R bodies; RF extenders not compatible |
| Teleconverter support | Canon RF extenders not compatible | – |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.45 m | 0.6 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.13× | 0.28× |
| Optical stabilisation | No | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | Gear-type STM autofocus with magnetic focus-position detection; full-time electronic manual focus | Dual Nano USM drives focus and floating lens groups independently; electronic floating focus system |
| Focus distance detail | Minimum focusing distance 0.45 m; Canon does not separately specify AF/MF distances | Minimum focus 0.6 m throughout the zoom range |
| Magnification detail | – | Maximum 0.28× at 200 mm |
| Stabilisation detail | No optical image stabilisation (Canon USA) | Optical IS rated five stops with EOS R at 200 mm under CIPA, yaw/pitch; coordinated IS rated 7.5 stops with EOS R5 at 200 mm under CIPA, yaw/pitch |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | No | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | 77 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 78 mm | 83.5 mm |
| Length | 75 mm | 119 mm |
| Weight | 346 g (better) | 695 g |
| Controls | Separate focus and clickable control rings; AF/MF switch; no iris ring or lens function button (Canon USA) | Zoom, electronic manual-focus and customisable control rings; focus limiter with full or 2.5 m–infinity range; AF/MF, IS on/off and three IS mode switches; zoom lock at 70 mm |
| Zoom design | – | Extending barrel; 119 mm length at 70 mm; 176 mm extended at 200 mm (Cameralabs) |
| Filter detail | 67 mm front screw-in filter thread | – |
| Weather resistance | No dust or weather resistant construction (Canon USA) | Dust and water resistant construction; Canon states this cannot completely prevent dust or droplets entering |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 78 mm maximum diameter × 75 mm length | Approximately 83.5 mm maximum diameter × 119 mm length, retracted |
| Weight detail | Approximately 346 g lens | Approximately 695 g lens |
| Tripod mount | – | No tripod collar mount (Cameralabs) |
| Lens hood | Optional ES-73B hood and LP1116 case; E-67 II front cap and Lens Dust Cap RF listed by Canon | ET-83G (WIII) hood included |
| In the box | Front and rear lens caps (Amateur Photographer); hood not included | Lens, E-77 II front cap, RF dust cap, ET-83G (WIII) hood, LP1319 case and user manual kit |
| 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 | March 2021 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum and Canon's global annual lens-release list |
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