Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM vs Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 – Which One Should You Buy?

Canon’s RF lens lineup now covers nearly every kind of photographer — from professionals to budget-minded creators. Among its affordable primes, two lenses stand out for those seeking a standard focal length: the Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM and the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM.

At first glance, they seem close: both are compact, lightweight, and built for Canon’s mirrorless EOS R system. But there’s a big question — is the 45mm f/1.2 really worth double the price of the 50mm f/1.8? Let’s find out.

---

⚙️ Overview — Fast Aperture vs Budget Classic

Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM
A brand-new, ultra-fast prime lens that offers the magical look of f/1.2 at a fraction of the price of Canon’s professional “L” series glass. It’s light (only 346 g), compact, and comes with a control ring, STM autofocus, and full-frame compatibility — ideal for creators who want creamy background blur without spending a fortune.

Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM
Canon’s most affordable RF prime, the 50mm f/1.8 is a reliable, sharp, and lightweight “nifty fifty.” It’s perfect for beginners, travelers, or anyone needing a versatile all-purpose lens that fits in any bag and costs under $250.

In short:

• RF 45mm f/1.2: More light, more blur, more character.

• RF 50mm f/1.8: Compact, consistent, and unbeatable value.

---

📊 Specifications Comparison

---

🧱 Build and Handling

The RF 45mm f/1.2 feels premium for its price. It features two separate rings — one for manual focus and one for custom control — a rarity in this price range. Despite its fast aperture, it’s remarkably compact and easy to balance on both full-frame and APS-C cameras.

The RF 50mm f/1.8, on the other hand, is the definition of simplicity: small, feather-light, and nearly pocket-sized. Its plastic build keeps costs down, but it still feels solid for everyday use.

Verdict:

• RF 45mm f/1.2: Feels like a mini-L-series lens.

• RF 50mm f/1.8: The lightest, simplest, and most portable RF lens.

---

🎯 Autofocus and Performance

Both lenses use Canon’s STM motor, offering smooth, quiet, and accurate focusing — ideal for hybrid shooters.

However, the RF 45mm f/1.2 performs better in low light, thanks to its huge aperture, allowing faster shutter speeds and more reliable AF in dark scenes. The 50mm remains quick but can struggle slightly when lighting drops.

Verdict:

• RF 45mm f/1.2: Better in low light, shallow DOF accuracy.

• RF 50mm f/1.8: Fast and silent for most everyday scenarios.

---

🧠 Image Quality

Sharpness

Both are surprisingly sharp, especially in the center. The RF 45mm f/1.2 produces excellent detail even wide open, though corner sharpness softens slightly. The RF 50mm f/1.8 is also strong in the middle but needs stopping down to f/2.8–f/4 for edge-to-edge clarity.

Bokeh and Depth of Field

This is where the 45mm wins hands-down. The f/1.2 aperture creates a dreamy, cinematic blur with strong subject separation and smooth transitions. The f/1.8 can still isolate subjects nicely, but it doesn’t come close to the artistic depth you get from f/1.2.

Color and Contrast

The RF 45mm f/1.2 benefits from Canon’s Super Spectra coating, giving vibrant color and reduced flare. The 50mm remains natural-looking but tends toward slightly flatter contrast under backlight.

Verdict:

• RF 45mm f/1.2: Creamy bokeh, vivid color, and richer character.

• RF 50mm f/1.8: Neutral tones, solid detail, less subject separation.

---

🎥 Video Performance

The RF 45mm f/1.2 is the more video-friendly lens, thanks to focus-breathing correction and smoother manual focus control. Its shallow depth of field produces cinematic results, though handheld shooting benefits from cameras with IBIS.

The RF 50mm f/1.8 is simpler — lightweight and easy to mount on gimbals — but it lacks the refined focus response and breathing control of the 45mm.

Verdict:

• RF 45mm f/1.2: Best for creative video and hybrid users.

• RF 50mm f/1.8: Great for vloggers and travel videographers.

---

💰 Price and Value

–

The RF 50mm f/1.8 is unbeatable for beginners — razor-sharp, feather-light, and ultra-affordable.

However, for just over $200 more, the RF 45mm f/1.2 gives you a completely different creative tool: extraordinary bokeh, better low-light results, and professional-looking depth.

Verdict:

RF 50mm f/1.8: Best budget lens for everyday use.

RF 45mm f/1.2: Best affordable way to experience the f/1.2 “look.”

---

🏁 Final Verdict — Which One Should You Buy?

–

✅ In short:
Choose the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 if you want a compact, lightweight, and ultra-affordable everyday lens that still delivers crisp, reliable results.

Go for the Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM if you want that cinematic look — the smooth background blur, better low-light performance, and more expressive image character that f/1.2 delivers.

Check availability and price on Amazon 🛒

📷 Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 — Amazon USA / Amazon Canada / Amazon UK / Amazon Australia

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

Note: Camerafight.com participates in the Amazon Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

---

💡 Pro tip:

On a full-frame EOS R6 Mark III or R5, the RF 45mm f/1.2 becomes a powerful creative tool. On APS-C cameras like the R7 or R10, it turns into a 72 mm f/1.2 equivalent — an ideal portrait lens with stunning background separation.