Canon RF 45mm f1.2 STM is Topping the Charts at Camera Decision Right Now
Why the Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM is the New King of the RF Mount
If you’ve been browsing our lens rankings here at CameraDecision.com lately, you might have noticed a surprising new name at the top of the Most Popular list. It’s not a budget nifty fifty, nor is it a $2,000 L-series beast. Instead, the Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM has officially taken the crown. For a few weeks now, it has been the most-searched and most-compared lens among our readers, and for a very good reason.
The Unicorn Specs: a Canon f/1.2 for Under $500
Historically, seeing "f/1.2" and "Canon" in the same sentence meant you were about to drop over $2,000 - check the RF 50mm F1.2 price if you don't believe me!-. When Canon announced a 45mm prime with a massive f/1.2 aperture for a retail price of just $469, the industry did a double-take. It is the first extra-bright prime from a major brand to hit a triple-digit price point. Our readers are clearly voting with their clicks: the demand for professional-level bokeh without the professional-level debt is higher than ever.
Canon RF 50mm F1.2L vs 45mm F1.2 STM
Why It’s Winning Hearts (and Comparisons)
So, why is this specific lens beating out the classic RF 50mm f/1.8 or the legendary RF 50mm f/1.2L in our comparison tools?
- The "Human Eye" Focal Length: While 50mm is the standard, 45mm is arguably more versatile. It’s just wide enough for environmental portraits and street photography, but tight enough to keep your subject the star of the show.
- Size vs. Performance: This is Canon’s first f/1.2 autofocus lens to weigh in at under 400g (it’s a featherweight 346g!). It balances perfectly on compact bodies like the EOS R8 or R6 Mark II, making it a "walk-around" lens that just happens to have world-class light-gathering power.
- Character Over Perfection: In our data, we see users moving away from "clinical" sharpness toward "character." While the RF 45mm isn’t as razor-sharp in the corners as its L-series cousins, it produces a dreamlike, cinematic bokeh that is hard to find at this price point.
New Canon RF 45mm F1.2 vs RF 50mm F1.2 vs RF 50mm F1.4 vs RF 50mm F1.8
Also read: New Canon RF 45mm F1.2 vs RF 50mm F1.2 vs RF 50mm F1.4 vs RF 50mm F1.8 Size and Specs Comparison
Canon RF 45mm F1.2 Key Specs
- 45mm Focal Range
- F1.2 Max Aperture
- Filter Thread: 67mm
- Max Format: 35mm FF
- Canon RF Mount
- 9 Elements in 7 Groups
- 1 aspherical
- 9-blade Diaphragm
- Weight: 346g
- Diameter x Length: 78mm x 75
- Min Focus Distance: 0.45m
- Max Magnification: 0.13x
- Read the Review
- Check Price at: Amazon, B&H Photo
A Surprising Move from Canon
It is genuinely surprising to see Canon price a specialty lens so affordably, We are talking about a company that doesn't include a lens hood with its non-L lenses! (There are some exceptions like the RF 200-800mm though) By using a gear-type STM motor and a PMo aspheric element, they’ve managed to strip away the cost without stripping away the magic of an f/1.2 aperture. Whether you’re a hobbyist looking for your first "dreamy" portrait lens or a pro who wants a lightweight backup that punches way above its weight class, the RF 45mm f/1.2 is proving to be the smartest addition to the RF lineup in years.
Canon RF 45mm F1.2 Key Specs
- 45mm Focal Range
- F1.2 Max Aperture
- Filter Thread: 67mm
- Max Format: 35mm FF
- Canon RF Mount
- 9 Elements in 7 Groups
- 1 aspherical
- 9-blade Diaphragm
- Weight: 346g
- Diameter x Length: 78mm x 75
- Min Focus Distance: 0.45m
- Max Magnification: 0.13x
- Read the Review
- Check Price at: Amazon, B&H Photo
Have you compared the RF 45mm f/1.2 against your current kit yet? Head over to our Lens Comparison Tool to see how it stacks up! Here is also the current list of Top 10 Most Popular RF Mount Lenses:
Top 10 Canon RF Mount Lenses
- Canon RF 45mm F1.2
- Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8L
- Canon RF 24-105mm F4L IS
- Canon RF 100-500mm
- Canon RF 28-70mm F2.8
- Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM
- Canon RF 100-400mm
- Canon RF 24-105mm F4.0-7.1 IS
- Canon RF 35mm F1.8 IS STM Macro
- Canon RF 24-240mm F4-6.3
Canon RF 45mm f1.2 in hand
