Canon RF 45mm F/1.2 STM

Specifications01

MountCANON RF

Focal length45mm

Max aperturef/1.2

TypeCinema · Prime

Release year2025

Weight346 g

Filter size67 mm

Physical length78 mm

Barrel diameter78 mm

Min focus distance0.45 m

Max magnification0.13

Aperture blades9

Optical elements9

Groups7

AutofocusYes

StabilizationNo

Weather sealedNo

Aperture controlNone The aperture is controlled from the camera

Lens hoodpetal-shaped, optional

TeleconvertersNot compatible

Sensor coverage43.3 mm

Production statusIn production

Approx price$469

Additional Info02

TypeStandard prime

SpecialSTM

Category["Canon RF"]

Keywords["Canon","Prime","Standard"]

Lens TypePrime lens

Angle Of View51°

Review AuthorKlaus

Other FeaturesControl Ring Focus breathing correction compatible

Review VerdictFrom a reviewer's perspective, most lenses are rather boring these days. While there are variations, of course, most mainstream lenses are at least in the "decent" category. So the Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM was a refreshing change for us here - although not in a good way. It is a bit unclear what Canon wants to tell us with this lens. Sure, f/1.2 is nice on paper, allowing very shallow depth-of-field photography. However, the fact that it has an f/1.2 setting is almost the only glorious aspect of this lens - and for some, this may be enough, and that's perfectly fine. In terms of performance, it resembles lenses from the 1960s or 1970s. At f/1.2, the center quality is passable by today's standards, but the corners fall completely apart. Things do get better the more you stop down. A broader part of the image field is fine from f/2.8. And beyond, the quality is actually very good if not great - but that's not a huge achievement for a 45/50mm lens, really. The rather wavy field curvature is also not up to Canon's usually high standards here. Lateral CAs are Ok, but axial CAs can be very obvious at large aperture settings. Well, there are people who like psychedelic colors, I suppose. Something that isn't likeable is the massive focus shifts the more you stop down. The rather high native vignetting and barrel distortion are autocorrected. The bokeh has its ups and downs, too. The build quality is fine for a consumer-grade prime lens. The engineering plastic feels a bit hollow, but it's not too bad. The AF speed is fine, as you can expect from a Canon lens. It's still not a lens for action photography due to its STM drive and somewhat dated focusing system. Overall, it's surprising that they decided to offer this lens. Their own MTFs for this lens are very low. Still, if you like the charm of a vintage lens in a modern form factor, why not? If you'd like to support our work, please consider shopping for this or other lenses via one of the following partners: * Amazon US * Amazon Europe * Adorama US * KEH US (used gear)

Review Published2025-12-21T06:57:15+00:00

Optical Construction9 elements in 7 groups (1x aspherical)

Field Notes02

Canon RF 45mm prime lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.2 and STM focus motor. Intended for general-purpose and low-light shooting, including portraits on Canon RF-mount cameras.

AI-assisted summary — verify against linked sources

Catalog note · source: opticallimits