$429.99
Checked Oct 16, 2026. Verify at the retailer.
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Creators cited with this
Julia TrottiYouTube, 670K followers“I have two lenses that I'm going to be using today. I have the 45mm f1.2 as it is a bit more of like a budget friendly lens.”
Watch the video at 0:41
Gordon LaingYouTube, 258K followers“You could go for the RF 45 mil 1.2 STM, a fairly affordable budget mid-range model, or for much the same price, a used EF 50 mm F1.2 L USM, a former flagship professional lens.”
Watch the video at 0:02
Manny OrtizYouTube, 735K followers“The 45 mm 1.2 2 has been glued to the R six3 ever since I got it in for testing.”
Watch the video at 1:25
What reviewers say
Based on 2 reviews (0 press, 2 video), newest January 2026
What YouTube reviews of the Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM judged, by what buyers compare. Open any line for the quotes behind it.
Where it shines
- Size & weight
- Value
Where reviewers push back
- Autofocus
- Sharpness
- Rendering & bokeh
- Build & handling
SharpnessSplit: Reviewers are split.Sharp centrally, but corners turn mushy wide open at f1.2.2 reviews›
Praise (4)
“reasonably sharp details”
VideoGordon Laing · November 2025Watch
“the details around my face in the middle of the frame are pretty sharp.”
VideoGordon Laing · November 2025Watch at 6:23
“it is nice and sharp and no issues with that”
VideoDustin Abbott · January 2026Watch at 20:01
“everything is looking nice and crisp there on both sides”
VideoDustin Abbott · January 2026Watch at 16:12
Complaints (3)
“not as razor sharp as the best lenses out there”
VideoGordon Laing · November 2025Watch at 6:26
“things get pretty bad if we pan off into the corners where you can see by the time you get to the far corner, it's just mush”
VideoDustin Abbott · January 2026Watch at 14:35
“by the time you get to the far corners at f1.2, it has almost no image quality”
VideoDustin Abbott · January 2026Watch at 11:51
Rendering & bokehSplit: Reviewers are split.Nice bokeh but flare, fringing and heavy distortion bother reviewers.2 reviews›
Praise (5)
“the rendering style looks pretty well behaved here”
VideoGordon Laing · November 2025Watch at 6:18
“delivering substantial blurring opportunities on portraits from a lens that is respectably priced and pretty compact, too.”
VideoGordon Laing · November 2025Watch at 8:21
“the rendering still looks pretty good to me here, avoiding distracting busyiness.”
VideoGordon Laing · November 2025Watch at 6:44
“when it comes to the bokeh quality, in many situations, it is nice”
VideoDustin Abbott · January 2026Watch at 17:28
“it does have a fairly artful rendering to it”
VideoDustin Abbott · January 2026Watch at 17:40
Complaints (4)
“visible artifacts here. Most likely some combination of coma and a stigmatism.”
VideoGordon Laing · November 2025Watch at 5:11
“quite visible colored fringing in areas of high contrast”
VideoGordon Laing · November 2025Watch at 4:19
“the flare looks terrible”
VideoDustin Abbott · January 2026Watch
“I don't even know how you get this much barrel distortion in a 45 mm lens.”
VideoDustin Abbott · January 2026Watch at 12:17
AutofocusMostly negative: Leans negative.Decently fast but noisy, hesitant, with visible focus breathing.2 reviews›
Praise (2)
“it should be quiet enough to not be an issue when using most external mics.”
VideoGordon Laing · November 2025Watch at 3:27
“it focuses with a pretty decent amount of speed”
VideoDustin Abbott · January 2026Watch at 6:42
Complaints (4)
“it's neither the fastest nor the quietest around.”
VideoGordon Laing · November 2025Watch at 2:47
“the quite visible focus breathing”
VideoGordon Laing · November 2025Watch at 3:14
“there is a little bit of a buildup of inertia and so you see kind of a bit pause before it moves”
VideoDustin Abbott · January 2026Watch at 6:45
“This is not a highly responsive focus motor uh when it comes to video applications.”
VideoDustin Abbott · January 2026Watch at 10:57
Size & weightRated highly: Reviewers rate it highly.Both reviewers praise its compact, lightweight design for an f1.2.2 reviews›
Praise (2)
“it's a lot more compact and light than the specs imply.”
VideoGordon Laing · November 2025Watch at 2:01
“a highlight is the fact that it is so compact and lightweight particularly for an f1.2 lens”
VideoDustin Abbott · January 2026Watch at 2:34
Build & handlingSplit: Reviewers are split.Nice control ring and focus feel, but no weather sealing.2 reviews›
Praise (3)
“I appreciate having the separate RF control ring on a budget lens as well as that AFMF switch because you don't always get it.”
VideoGordon Laing · November 2025Watch at 2:14
“a fairly wide manual focusing ring that turns nice and smoothly”
VideoGordon Laing · November 2025Watch at 2:05
“The focus ring itself, if you're making small adjustments, I actually like it.”
VideoDustin Abbott · January 2026Watch at 4:20
Complaints (2)
“it's also not weather sealed. Disappointing, but not surprising.”
VideoGordon Laing · November 2025Watch at 2:38
“There is no weather sealing here, unfortunately, which is Canon's policy with all of their nonL series lenses.”
VideoDustin Abbott · January 2026Watch at 5:32
ValueMostly positive: Leans positive.Good value despite Canon skipping the included lens hood.2 reviews›
Praise (2)
“giving you a taste of the exotic without breaking the bank.”
VideoGordon Laing · November 2025Watch at 0:33
“that's a pretty nice value all things considered”
VideoDustin Abbott · January 2026Watch at 21:14
Complaints (1)
“Canon only includes hoods with their most expensive Lenses a strategy that still feels pretty mean compared to other companies.”
VideoGordon Laing · November 2025Watch at 2:28
Price history
- Oct 16, 2026$429.99
- Sep 18, 2026$429.00
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