Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM Full-Frame Lens (2019)
Product Gallery
Product Overview
The RF 85mm F1.2 L USM lens is Canon's RF-mount portrait lens for its new EOS R line of full-frame digital mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras.
This lens utilizes Canon's proprietary Blue Spectrum Refractive (BR) Optics to reduce chromatic aberrations that could occur with large aperture lenses. It refracts blue light between concave and convex elements to improve the convergence of the full light spectrum of light to one point.
Ratings
What we found**
Neofiliac score 71% (not directly comparable across industries)
Pros
- Exceptionally sharp
- Very bright maximum aperture
- Weather-sealed
- Smooth bokeh
Cons
- On the heavy side
What external reviewers found***
External score 79% (not directly comparable across industries)
Pros
- Excellent image quality
- Excellent optical performance
- Excellent sharpness at f/1.2
- Excellent optics
- Fast f1.2 focal ratio
- Compact design
Cons
- Lacks autofocus limiter
- No optical stabilization
- Lacks focus limiter
- Bulky and heavy
- Pricey compared to non-DS lenses
Price Comparison
Specifications
Construction
Aperture Blades
9 blades, Circular aperture blades
Form Factor
Short Telephoto Prime Lens
Image Size
Full-Frame
Lens Mount
Canon RF-mount
Motor
Ring-type ultrasonic
Optical Formula | Elements
13 elements
Optical Formula | Groups
9 groups
Dimensions
Filter Diameter
82 mm / 3.23 in
Size | Diameter
103 mm / 4.06 in
Size | Length
117 mm / 4.61 in
Weight
1195 g / 42.23 oz
Function
Angle Of View
28.6° Diagonal | 23.9° Horizontal | 16.1° Vertical
Aperture
f/1.2
Autofocus
Yes
Focal Length
85 mm
Focus Type
Internal
Image Stabilization
No
Weather Resistance
Yes
Performance
Min Focus Distance
850 mm / 33.46 in
Production
Accessory
Lens Hood: ET-89 (sold separately)
Debut
2019-02-14
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Launch Comparison
Clear List
Related Articles
For the 17th Year Running, Canon Holds the Number One Market Share in the Global Interchangeable-Lens Digital Camera Market
From 2003 to 2019, Canon has kept the number 1 market share in the digital interchangeable-lens camera market.
News · 12 May 2020
3rd-Party Review Videos
External Reviews
cameralabs[1]
Reviewer score 78%The Canon RF 85mm f1.2L USM is a short telephoto prime lens designed for the full-frame mirrorless EOS R system. Announced in May 2019, it’s the fifth native lens for the Eos R system and the first of six new RF lenses promised for the year. The lens employs 13 elements in nine groups, an aperture range of f 1.2 to f16, nine diaphragm blades, and a closest focusing distance of 85cm.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Fast f1.2 focal ratio
- Very shallow depth-of-field effects
Cons
- No optical stabilisation
- No body-based stabilisation
dpreview[2]
Reviewer score 72%Canon's RF 85mm F1.2L USM is among the costliest lenses in the RF lineup. Aimed primarily at portrait, fashion, wedding and event photographers. Can focus as close as 85cm (2.8 ft) away from the subject, which is a 10cm reduction on the previous EF 85mm f 1.2 L II USM.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Super-wide aperture
- Excellent optical performance
Cons
- Pricey compared to non-DS lenses
pcmag[3]
Reviewer score 76%The 85mm F1.2 includes dust and splash protection and its front element is protected with anti-smudge fluorine. The difference between this edition of the RF 85mm and the DS edition is in the background blur. The DS version of the lens is $300 more and it gathers less, with the light transmission closer to f/2.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Ultra-thin, ultra-thin depth of field
- Excellent optics
- Compact design
Cons
- Lacks autofocus limiter
pcmag[4]
Reviewer score 87%The Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS is an optic with few, if any, notable flaws. Its absolutely sharp from center to edge, even when shot wide open. It draws images with pleasingly shallow depth of field. When shot at wider f-stops you'll enjoy sharp photos with perfectly defocused backgrounds.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Sharp from center to edge
- Dust and splash protection
- Fluorine coating
Cons
- Bulky and heavy
- No optical stabilization
techradar[5]
Reviewer score 79%Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is one of the best lenses on the market at the moment. Weight makes it very front-heavy, and some may wonder how safe this is on the EOS R or EOS RP body. Focusing is, however, quite audible – not to the point where it's an issue if you're trying to shoot discreetly, but certainly loud enough to be picked up when recording video. Bokeh has a lovely smooth texture and is free from chromatic aberrations.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness at f/1.2
- Wide open
Cons
- Bulky and heavy
- Vignetting at widest aperture
digitalpicture[6]
Reviewer score 81%Great lenses are seldom cheap and this one does not break that rule. The RF 85 F1.2 L DS has a price tag high enough to keep it out of the hands of most casual photographers. Professionals will appreciate how this lens can differentiate their work. This is a key lens for portrait and wedding photographers.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- High quality background blur at wide apertures
- Compatible with all Canon EOS R series cameras
- Dust and splash protection
Cons
- Relatively high price tag
digitalpicture[7]
Reviewer score 85%Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L vs. EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM Lens comparison. RF lens has 82mm filter threads vs. 77mm and has a focus limiter switch. EF lens features image stabilization and is priced a 4-figure amount (in USD) less.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Sharp f/1.2 aperture
- Excellent image quality
- Dust and splash protection
Cons
- Lacks focus limiter
User Reviews
Comments
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References
- ^ Canon RF 85mm f1.2L USM review – preview. [cameralabs]. https://www.cameralabs.com/canon-rf-85mm-f1-2l-usm-review/. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
- ^ Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM review. [dpreview]. https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canon-rf-85mm-f1-2l-usm-review. 2020-01-21. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
- ^ Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM Review. [pcmag]. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/canon-rf-85mm-f12-l-usm. 2021-06-11. Retrieved 2021-06-12.
- ^ Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS Review. [pcmag]. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/canon-rf-85mm-f12-l-usm-ds. 2020-09-03. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ^ Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM review. [techradar]. https://www.techradar.com/reviews/canon-rf-85mm-f12l-usm. 2019-07-24. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
- ^ Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS Lens Review. [digitalpicture]. https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-RF-85mm-F1.2-L-USM-DS-Lens.aspx. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ^ Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM Lens Review. [digitalpicture]. https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-RF-85mm-F1.2-L-USM-Lens.aspx. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
The MSRP provided on this page may not apply to all regions equally. For the current price, please refer to the Price Comparison section.
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Scores are not directly comparable across industries.
These key takeaways ("pros" and "cons") and summaries are identified from third-party reviews. They may differ from the original texts.
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