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Canon releases its ultra-fast, yet moderately priced Canon 45mm f1.2 STM today.
The RF 45mm F1.2 STM is comprised of 9 elements in 7 groups using a molded aspherical element for sharpness and small size. The lens achieves good bokeh, with nine aperture blades creating smooth, circular background blur, making it good for portraits.
However, with a low price comes some compromises, as at maximum apertures, the lens will have some prominent vignetting, as well as needing digital correction for distortion. Canon suggests that this lens is developed as a character lens, and not as an MTF clinically sharp L-grade lens.
The lens is very compact, weighing just 346g (12.2oz) and measuring 78 x 75mm (3.1 x 3.0″), and uses a 67mm filter. It allows for a minimum focus distance of 45cm (17.7″) and a maximum magnification of 0.13x. At the same time, the gear-type stepper motor (STM) will not result in this being a fast focusing lens and should be around the same focus speed as the RF 85mm F2.0 STM.
Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM Key Features
- Full-Frame | f/1.2 Maximum Aperture
- Compact, Lightweight Prime Lens
- STM Stepping AF Motor
- Customizable Control Ring
- Aspherical Element Reduces Aberrations
Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM Lens Construction and MTF
We heard that Canon stated that they developed this lens for character, so close your eyes before you look at the MTF. It will be interesting to see how this lens renders because it’s certainly not going to be the sharpest lens in your kit. But interestingly, it shows decent astigmatism and bokeh.
If I had to guess, I’d say Canon was going for a dreamy look to the images with this lens, which may actually be the reason they developed it and released a 45mm lens, versus having it confusingly measured up against its 50mm fast primes. Still, though, with that kind of MTF, it’s a surprise they didn’t release it as a Canon RF 45mm f1.2 STM SF.
What will be interesting is how this lens focuses wide open, especially if you want to focus on something in the corners with such a lack of contrast and resolution. That would worry me a bit because there just isn’t much contrast out there in the corners. But as long as you focus near the center, you should be fine.
As well, this lens may be interestingly good on an APS-C camera as a longer prime of around 70mm, though at $470, you’d be hard pressed not to go for one of Sigma’s outstanding primes instead.
The design is a relatively straightforward double Gauss design with nine elements in seven groups, with the green element being what Canon is calling their pMo (plastic molded) aspherical element.
Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM Press Release
Canon Unveils New EOS R6 Mark III Hybrid Powerhouse Camera and Compact RF45mm F1.2 STM Lens
MELVILLE, N.Y., November 6, 2025 — Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the launch of the EOS R6 Mark III full-frame mirrorless camera and the RF45mm F1.2 STM lens. The EOS R6 Mark III camera builds on Canon’s renowned 5-series and 1-series legacy, delivering pro-level hybrid performance for advanced photographers, videographers, content creators, and hybrid enthusiasts shooting across portraits, events, wildlife, sports, and social media production. The RF45mm F1.2 STM lens introduces a compact, lightweight prime optic with outstanding f/1.2 performance, ideal for everyday shooting and creative expression.
Canon RF45mm F1.2 STM Lens Designed to Redefine Compact f/1.2 Prime Performance
The RF45mm F1.2 STM is a 45mm standard prime lens designed for natural perspectives close to human vision, with a wider angle than traditional 50mm options. It’s lightweight (approx. 346g) and compact build makes it easy to handle for portraits, snapshots, landscapes, and more-equivalent to approx. 72mm on APS-C bodies like the EOS R7 or R50 cameras.
Key features include:
- Wide f/1.2 aperture enabled by innovative PMo aspherical lenses and gear-type STM with magnetic detection, reducing size and weight compared to larger f/1.2 lenses
- Rich, three-dimensional bokeh with nine aperture blades for smooth, circular blur; digital lens optimizer corrects distortions for outstanding rendering
- Fixed rear-lens focusing system minimizes image quality shifts across distances; aperture range (f/1.2 to f/16) allows flexible depth control, faster shutters, and low-ISO shooting
- Enhanced compactness via fixed-length barrel and minimum focusing distance, delivering value and reliability for diverse applications
Availability
The Canon EOS R6 Mark III camera body only and kits with either the Canon RF24-105 F4 L IS USM, the RF24-105 F4-7.1 IS STM USM lens, or the Stop Motion Animation Firmware are expected to be available in November 2025, for an estimated retail price of $2,799.00, $4,049.00, $3,149.00 and $2,899.00 respectively*. The RF45mm F1.2 STM lens is expected to be available in December 2025, for an estimated retail price of $469.99*. For more information about Canon’s latest innovations and products, please visit www.usa.canon.com.
* Specifications, availability and prices are subject to change without notice.
Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM Specifications
| Principal specifications | ||
| Lens type | Prime lens | |
| Max Format size | 35mm FF | |
| Focal length | 45 mm | |
| Image stabilization | No | |
| Lens mount | Canon RF, Canon RF-S | |
| Aperture | ||
| Maximum aperture | F1.2 | |
| Minimum aperture | F16 | |
| Aperture ring | No | |
| Number of diaphragm blades | 9 | |
| Optics | ||
| Elements | 9 | |
| Groups | 7 | |
| Special elements / coatings | 1 Asph | |
| Focus | ||
| Minimum focus | 0.45 m (17.72″) | |
| Maximum magnification | 0.13× | |
| Autofocus | Yes | |
| Motor type | Stepper motor | |
| Full time manual | No | |
| Focus method | Unit | |
| Distance scale | No | |
| DoF scale | No | |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 346 g (0.76 lb) | |
| Diameter | 78 mm (3.07″) | |
| Length | 75 mm (2.95″) | |
| Materials | Polycarbonate | |
| Sealing | No | |
| Filter thread | 67 mm | |
| Hood supplied | No | |
| Hood product code | ES-73B (optional) | |
Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM Preorder
B&H Photo
- B&H Photo:Â Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM $469
Midwest Photo
Midwest Photo is offering 2 Year Canon CarePak for free if pre-ordered between 11/6 and 11/16
- Midwest Photo:Â Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM $469
Adorama
- Adorama:Â Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM $459
European Union (Exclusive Partner Foto Erhardt)
- Foto Erhardt: Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM €499
United Kingdom
- Wex Photo: Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM £479
Gallery
German MRSP at 499,- and size and weight is positively surprising me.
I guess this will end up in my bag pretty soon.
Now let's see the first RL hands on and measurements.
And until then all the whiners whine about not offering all the things you get from twice as big and heavy lenses or 6 times more expensive lenses 😉 😛
To me those of the RF 45 look significantly smother and sharper up to the midframe than the ones if the EF 50 L.
Could be optically even better, but we'll see.
You're right, I really liked the EF 50 f/1.2L USM, I used it professionally for years. No lens will ever have the cool shape that it did. 🙂
It was weird to be told that it was presented as having similar image quality as the EF 1.2, that turned out to be true.
As expected from the MTFs the 50STM is sharper at max aperture, but if you stop down the 45 to f/1.8 this one wins in the center and mid-frame.
Corners of the 45 are something we should cast a veil of silence over 😉
Flare looks well controlled.
Overall very interesting for its price and size.
If you want the vintage 1.2 look, you can already buy a used EF 50mm 1.2 L for a similar price. You get better build quality, weather sealing and USM on top. In that sense, this new lens doesn't really add much to the table. I would rather get the EF lens, personally.
On the other hand, the RF 35mm 1.8 STM has superior IQ at 1.8 for the same price + IS + semi-macro. It still seems like the better lens overall, unless you only want the extreme soft look and don't want to use an adapter.
The promised similar optical performance to the EF 50mm f/1.2 L seems to be delivered, with very slightly more centre sharpness, exactly as I expected.
Size, weight and ergonomics seem great. Poor man's internal focusing is very highly appreciated, all these cheap lenses should be like this!
I'm happy it's not the 48.5mm patent we saw, because this probably has a wider field of view, so it's not a 50 labeled as a 45.
I don't know, I'll have to try it for myself.
I don't know if this level of image quality will please me. I didn't went with the EF 50mm f/1.2 L, years ago, I bought with the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art instead because it was sharper, but I also don't use R5s so, I have to try it.
I'm looking forward to handle this lens.
I wouldn't buy EF glass at this point, unless I needed something specific that I couldn't afford on RF, like a supertelephoto prime.
EF glass is being discontinued, needs the adapter, and this will be serviceable for much longer.
I bet a lot of EF 50mm f/1.2s will appear now for sale, because owners will probably be able to replace it with this for free or even with some extra cash in their pockets, while removing the adapter.
Given this precedent, if you can wait for it, Canon may introduce a RF 50 1.2 equivalent lens in 2037 weighing 1lb for $700. 😉
I'm taking a chance and getting one. It'll serve for those rare occasions when I actually use a wide aperture 50, and will also make a reasonably nice portrait lens on the R7.
One thing I'm noticing on my 50/1.2L (EF version) is that the DOF is so razor thin that you just about need to use a tripod to nail focus just where you want it. I took a picture of 3 darts in my dartboard, and it focused on the edge of the double-cork ring, throwing the dart's point shaft (1/4 inch behind the focus plane) out of focus. I hadn't pulled that lens out in a while, so I'm sure I could improve my technique. But 1/4 inch of movement makes a huge difference at reasonably close objects and f/1.2.