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Canon RF 85mm F1.4L VCM vs Canon RF-S 18–45mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

CanonRF 85mm F1.4L VCMCanonRF-S 18–45mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2025June 2022
Optics
Lens typePrimeZoom
Focal length85 mm18–45 mm
Maximum aperturef/1.4f/4.5–6.3
Minimum aperturef/16f/22–32
Optical construction14 elements in 10 groupsSeven elements in seven groups
Special elementsOne UD and one glass-moulded aspherical elementTwo plastic-moulded aspherical elements; Super Spectra coating; no fluorine coating
CoatingsASC and Super Spectra; fluorine coating on the front element–
Aperture detailf/1.4–16 with stepless iris ring; no click-stop option (Amateur Photographer)Minimum f/22 at 18 mm and f/32 at 45 mm, per UK and Japan specifications; Camera Museum table lists f/18 at 18 mm
Diaphragm11 circular aperture bladesSeven blades
Angle of view24° horizontal, 16° vertical and 28°30′ diagonal on full frame–
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon RFCanon RF
Image circleFull frameAPS-C
CompatibilityCanon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle; stills iris-ring support is body/firmware dependentCanon RF mount with APS-C image circle; full-frame EOS R bodies crop to APS-C; RF extenders and EF extension tubes not compatible
Teleconverter supportCanon RF extenders not compatible–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.75 m0.15 m (manual focus)
Maximum magnification0.12×0.26× (manual focus)
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailVoice Coil Motor autofocus; electronic manual focus; maker notes movement/noise in unpowered internal VCM components is normalSTM autofocus and electronic manual focusing
Focus distance detail–Autofocus minimum 0.20 m at 18 mm, 0.30 m at 35 mm and 0.35 m at 45 mm; manual-focus minimum 0.15 m, 0.24 m and 0.25 m at those focal lengths
Magnification detail–Autofocus maximum 0.14× at 18 mm, 0.15× at 35 mm and 0.16× at 45 mm; manual-focus maximum 0.25×, 0.21× and 0.26× respectively
Stabilisation detailNo 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 conditionsOptical IS rated four stops with EOS R10 at 45 mm under CIPA, yaw/pitch; coordinated IS rated 6.5 stops with EOS R7 at 45 mm under CIPA, yaw/pitch
Video featuresOptically 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 resistantYesNo
Filter diameter67 mm49 mm
Maximum diameter76.5 mm69 mm
Length99.3 mm44.3 mm
Weight636 g130 g
ControlsCustomisable control ring, focus ring, iris ring with Auto-position lock, function button and AF/MF switch (Amateur Photographer)Combined focus/control ring and zoom ring; AF/MF and IS controlled through camera settings
Zoom design–Retractable barrel; lens must be extended for shooting
Filter detail67 mm front screw-in filter thread; compatible Canon 67 mm Protect and PL-C B circular polarising filters–
Weather resistanceDust 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 inferredNo dust or moisture resistance
Dimensions detailApproximately 76.5 mm maximum diameter × 99.3 mm lengthApproximately 69 mm maximum diameter × 44.3 mm length, retracted
Weight detailApproximately 636 g lensApproximately 130 g lens
Lens hoodET-73C; maker lists E-67 II cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and LP1219 pouch as accessoriesEW-53 hood and LP814 pouch, sold separately
In the box–Lens, E-49 front cap, RF lens dust cap and user manual
Release detailCanon Japan specifies first sale on 27 September 2025; no UK first-sale day inferredJune 2022 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum

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