Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM vs Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 — What’s the Difference?

Canon’s RF lineup is quickly filling with affordable, compact primes that balance quality and creativity. Two of the most exciting options for enthusiasts and hybrid creators are the Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM and the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM.

Both are small, fast, and designed for everyday shooting — but they serve slightly different purposes. The 35mm f/1.8 is a stabilized hybrid workhorse, while the new 45mm f/1.2 is all about bokeh and expressive depth.

So, which one should you choose? Let’s break it down.

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⚙️ Overview — Macro Versatility vs Ultra Shallow Depth

Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM
Canon’s latest compact f/1.2 lens is a breakthrough in accessibility — delivering the iconic shallow depth of field and dreamy background blur once reserved for L-series glass. Despite its speed, it weighs just 346 g and costs under $500, making it a perfect choice for portrait and lifestyle shooters on a budget.

Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM
A beloved hybrid prime that’s sharp, stabilized, and surprisingly versatile. Its f/1.8 aperture and close focusing (1:2 macro) make it ideal for travel, street, food, and handheld video. The built-in image stabilization gives it a major advantage for handheld work and hybrid shooting.

In short:

• RF 45mm f/1.2: Brighter, creamier, more artistic look.

• RF 35mm f/1.8: More versatile, stabilized, and macro-capable.

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📊 Specifications Comparison

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🧱 Build and Handling

Both lenses share Canon’s compact RF design philosophy — simple, lightweight, and perfect for handheld or travel shooting.

The RF 45mm f/1.2 is slightly larger, with a more substantial feel and two separate rings (focus + control), making it easier to handle manually. The RF 35mm f/1.8 is smaller but equally ergonomic, with a focus ring that doubles as a control ring.

Neither is weather-sealed, but both are well-built for their price.

Verdict:

• RF 45mm f/1.2: Feels more premium, better manual handling.

• RF 35mm f/1.8: Smaller, lighter, and stabilized for handheld use.

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🎯 Autofocus and Performance

Both lenses use Canon’s STM motor — quiet, accurate, and smooth.

The RF 45mm f/1.2 has the edge in low light, thanks to its wider aperture, allowing it to focus in darker environments and create more dramatic separation between subject and background. The RF 35mm f/1.8, however, benefits from its image stabilization, which helps keep shots sharp even at slower shutter speeds.

Verdict:

• RF 45mm f/1.2: Better for low light and subject isolation.

• RF 35mm f/1.8: More reliable handheld performance with IBIS.

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🧠 Image Quality

Sharpness

The RF 35mm f/1.8 is consistently sharp across the frame, even wide open, while the RF 45mm f/1.2 delivers excellent center sharpness with softer edges at f/1.2 — typical for such fast glass. Stop it down to f/2 and it becomes very crisp.

Bokeh

No contest here: the RF 45mm f/1.2 produces a dramatically shallower depth of field and creamier bokeh, giving portraits a high-end, cinematic look. The RF 35mm f/1.8 also delivers pleasant background blur, but it’s more subdued and controlled.

Color and Contrast

The RF 45mm f/1.2 uses Canon’s Super Spectra Coating for vibrant color and reduced flare. The RF 35mm f/1.8 remains neutral and balanced, perfect for color grading in video or consistent photo workflows.

Verdict:

• RF 45mm f/1.2: Artistic, vivid, and expressive.

• RF 35mm f/1.8: Balanced, accurate, and detailed.

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🎥 Video Performance

For hybrid creators, both lenses offer real strengths.

The RF 35mm f/1.8 wins for handheld video — its built-in IS works in sync with IBIS, giving smooth, stabilized footage. Its wider field of view is also perfect for vlogging and environmental shots.

The RF 45mm f/1.2, meanwhile, shines in controlled environments or cinematic setups. It supports focus breathing correction, delivers a beautiful shallow look, and handles low light brilliantly.

Verdict:

• RF 35mm f/1.8: Best for vlogging and hybrid handheld video.

• RF 45mm f/1.2: Best for cinematic storytelling and bokeh-rich visuals.

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💰 Price and Value

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Surprisingly, both lenses are priced similarly — but they target slightly different users. The RF 35mm f/1.8 gives you stabilization, macro capabilities, and all-around flexibility. The RF 45mm f/1.2, on the other hand, trades those features for a faster aperture and artistic control over depth of field.

Verdict:

• RF 35mm f/1.8: The smarter all-rounder.

• RF 45mm f/1.2: The creative choice for bokeh and low light.

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🏁 Final Verdict — Which One Should You Buy?

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✅ In short:
If you want a compact, stabilized lens that can handle macro, street, and hybrid shooting — go with the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM.

If you crave dreamy bokeh, dramatic light falloff, and the full f/1.2 look without spending thousands, the Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM is the smarter creative upgrade.

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💡 Pro tip:
Pair the RF 35mm f/1.8 with a body that lacks IBIS (like the Canon R8) for stabilized handheld results.

Pair the RF 45mm f/1.2 with a body with IBIS (like the Canon R6 Mark III or R5) to unlock its full low-light and shallow-depth potential.

Check availability and price on Amazon 🛒

📷 Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 — Amazon USA / Amazon Canada / Amazon UK / Amazon Australia

📷 Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 — Amazon USA / Amazon Canada / Amazon UK / Amazon Australia

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