Canon RF RF45mm F1.2 STM 45mm

★★★★☆ 4.4 (115)

The f/1.2 maximum aperture delivers exceptionally shallow depth of field and strong low-light performance in a compact 346g body. Its quiet STM autofocus and customizable control ring add handling flexibility uncommon at this brightness. This lens is best for portrait and lifestyle photographers who prioritize dramatic bokeh and a lightweight walk-around prime.

Focal length 45mm
Aperture 16
Mount Canon RF
Weight 345 g
af type STM
lens type prime
Canon RF RF45mm F1.2 STM 45mm lens
55 Overall Score
Also available in:

Snapshot

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Strong af (85th percentile) 85th
  • Strong social proof (74th percentile) 74th
  • Strong build (65th percentile) 65th

Cons

  • Below average macro (21th percentile)
  • Below average versatility (34th percentile)

What owners think

How owner sentiment changed over time

Exclusive

Based on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.

Owner sentiment has held steady over time
1★2★3★4★5★Q4 '25: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ1 '26: 4.6★ · 25 reviewsQ2 '26: 4.6★ · 11 reviews12511Q4 '25Q1 '26Q2 '26
Avg ratingHappy (4-5★)Unhappy (1-2★)Bar height = number of reviews

Based on 37 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.

The proof

Performance

Performance Percentiles

AF 85.4
Bokeh 47.4
Build 65.2
Macro 21.1
Optical 47
Aperture 52.4
Versatility 34
Social Proof 73.9
Stabilization 35.7

Specifications

Full Specifications

Optics

Type prime
Focal Length Min 45
Focal Length Max 45
Elements 9
Groups 7
Aspherical Elements 1
Coating SSC (Super Spectra Coating)

Aperture

Max Aperture 16
Min Aperture 1.2
Constant No
Diaphragm Blades 9

Build

Mount Canon RF
Format Full-Frame
Weather Sealed No
Weight 0.3 kg / 0.8 lbs
Filter Thread 67

AF & Stabilization

AF Type STM
Stabilization No

Focus

Min Focus Distance 450
Max Magnification 0.13x

vs Competition

Spec Canon RF RF45mm F1.2 STM 45mm Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Panasonic LUMIX S S-R28200 Sony G Master SEL70200GM2 Nikon NIKKOR AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
Focal Length 45mm 16-300mm 18-300mm 28-200mm 70-200mm 16-85mm
Max Aperture 16 f/3.5 f/3.5 f/4 2.8 f/3.5
Mount Canon RF Sony E Fuji X L-Mount Sony E Nikon F
Stabilization false true true true true true
Weather Sealed false true false true true false
Weight (g) 345 615 92 413 1045 59
AF Type STM HLA VXD linear motor Autofocus XD Linear Motors AF-S
Lens Type prime zoom zoom macro telephoto zoom
Compare Compare Compare Compare Compare
Product AfBokehBuildMacroOpticalApertureVersatilitySocial ProofStabilization
Canon RF RF45mm F1.2 STM 45mm 85.447.465.221.14752.43473.935.7
Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Compare 54.786.457.786.498.979.899.677.799
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Compare 98.17896.288.373.479.899.282.880.6
Panasonic LUMIX S S-R28200 Compare 54.780.773.689.490.974.595.762.599.4
Sony G Master SEL70200GM2 Compare 98.192.333.5338785.979.494.780.6
Nikon NIKKOR AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Compare 54.77898.558.864.279.894.387.792.3

Usage Scores

Macro (35.5)Overall (55.4)Budget (57.2)Street (56)Travel (41.2)Portrait (56.9)Landscape (38.3)Professional (43.9)Video Cinema (54)Wildlife Sports (50.9)

A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.

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