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Canon RF 85mm F1.4L VCM vs Canon RF-S 55–210mm F5–7.1 IS STM

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

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CanonRF 85mm F1.4L VCMCanonRF-S 55–210mm F5–7.1 IS STM
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2025March 2023
Optics
Lens typePrimeZoom
Focal length85 mm55–210 mm
Maximum aperturef/1.4f/5–7.1
Minimum aperturef/16f/22–32
Optical construction14 elements in 10 groupsEleven elements in eight groups
Special elementsOne UD and one glass-moulded aspherical elementTwo UD elements and one plastic-moulded aspherical element; 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 55 mm and f/32 at 210 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 m0.73 m
Maximum magnification0.12×0.28×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailVoice Coil Motor autofocus; electronic manual focus; maker notes movement/noise in unpowered internal VCM components is normalLead-screw STM autofocus and electronic manual focusing
Focus distance detail–Minimum focus 1 m at 55 mm and 0.73 m at 210 mm
Magnification detail–Maximum 0.05× at 55 mm and 0.28× at 210 mm
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 4.5 stops with EOS R10 at 210 mm under CIPA, yaw/pitch; coordinated IS rated seven stops with EOS R7 at 210 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 mm55 mm
Maximum diameter76.5 mm69 mm
Length99.3 mm92.9 mm
Weight636 g270 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–Extending zoom barrel
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 × 92.9 mm length, per Canon Japan and Camera Museum; UK table labels 135 mm as retracted, while Digital Camera World identifies 135 mm as extended
Weight detailApproximately 636 g lensApproximately 270 g lens
Lens hoodET-73C; maker lists E-67 II cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and LP1219 pouch as accessoriesET-60B hood and LP1016 pouch, sold separately
In the box–Lens, E-55 front cap, RF lens dust cap and user manual
Release detailCanon Japan specifies first sale on 27 September 2025; no UK first-sale day inferredMarch 2023 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum

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