CameraReview
Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM
UNSCORED
Canon · 45 mm · f/1.2 · Canon RF mount

Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM

From $469 — 1 offer
KEY FACTS
BrandCanon
Announcement dateNov 2025
Released2025
Production started2025
Production statusIn Production
What We Like
+Ultra-affordable f/1.2 aperture at $470 - exceptional value for fast-aperture glass
+Compact and lightweight at 346g, lightest f/1.2 lens in Canon RF lineup
+Smooth, quiet STM autofocus with full-time manual focus override
+Strong bokeh rendering with 9-blade circular aperture for subject separation
+Canon's first PMo aspherical element in f/1.2 design reduces aberrations
+Natural 45mm focal length ideal for portraits, lifestyle, and general-purpose shooting
Worth Knowing
Lacks weather sealing and optical stabilization despite moderate price point
Significant distortion and vignetting at f/1.2 requiring digital correction in-camera
Excessive chromatic aberration (color fringing) at maximum aperture
No lens hood included; optional ES-73B hood costs additional $59 separately

General

Brand
Canon
Announcement date
Refers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera.
Nov 2025
Released
Refers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale.
2025
Production started
2025
Production status
Current status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued).
In Production
Read our notes on general
The Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM is a fast standard prime lens for Canon RF-mount 35mm full-frame mirrorless cameras, compact and lightweight at 346g while offering a very bright maximum aperture of f/1.2 for low-light performance and bokeh effects. Not focused on pure optical performance, this lens offers budget-conscious Canon photographers the ability to capture strong background blur at a normal focal length with distinctive image character, priced well under $500 and destined to be popular for portraits, lifestyle, street, and creative work. While it offers bright aperture and lightweight design, it suffers from significant optical shortcomings including distortion, chromatic aberration, and lack of weather sealing, with STM autofocus that is reliable but less smooth than Canon's higher-end motors.

Optics

Minimum Aperture
f/16
Lens Construction
9 elements in 7 groups
Aspherical Elements
1 PMo (plastic-moulded) aspherical element
Angle of View
51° 20' diagonal
Min focal length
45 mm
Max focal length
45 mm
Focal range
Shortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end )
45 mm
Zoom lens
Zoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups
No
Max aperture wide
1.2
Max aperture zoom
1.2
Autofocus mode
Yes
Closest focusing distance
Minimum distance for a subject to be in focus.
45 cm01500
Blades
Number of diaphragm blades in aperture
9020

Autofocus

Motor Type
Gear-type STM (stepping motor)
Detection System
Magnetic detection system
Maximum Magnification
0.13x

Aperture

Features
Focus breathing correction compatible

Build

Construction Material
Engineering plastic barrel with metal mount
Optical Stabilization
None
Coatings
Super Spectra coating
Control Ring
Customizable control ring

Compatibility

Camera System
Canon EOS R full-frame and APS-C RF-mount mirrorless cameras

Pricing

MSRP
$469.99 USD

Physical

Lens mount
The lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras.
Canon RF
Lens length
How long the lens is from front to back.
75 mm
Lens diameter
Width of the lens at its widest point
78 mm
Lens weight
346 g
Front filter size
Diameter of attachable filters.
67 mm

Features

Weather sealing
Weather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions.
No