Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM
Announced November 6, 2025
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM is a compact, lightweight, and highly affordable prime lens that brings fast aperture performance to a wider range of photographers. While it makes compromises in build quality and optical perfection, it delivers excellent value for those seeking creative depth-of-field effects and low-light capabilities.
Weighted from 22 reviewer scores
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design
- Versatile control ring and reliable autofocus
- Highly affordable price point for an f/1.2 lens
- Fast f/1.2 aperture for low light and background blur
- Sharp center image quality
Cons
- Optical flaws including chromatic aberration and corner softness
- Lacks weather sealing
- Heavy reliance on digital corrections for distortion and vignetting
- Lens hood not included
- Noisy or slow autofocus performance
- Launch price $469 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 45mm f/1.2
- Mount & coverage Canon RF Full-Frame
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 45 cm (0.13x)
- Filter thread 67mm
- Autofocus motor STM
- Weight & size 346g · 78 x 75 mm (3.07 x 2.95 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 22 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- PetaPixel 8.5/10
You get performance and price without too many optical compromises. Canon is delivering excellent value for the dollar.
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The Canon RF 50mm f1.2L USM is a supremely well-corrected ‘standard’ prime lens for Canon’s EOS R mirrorless system.
- OpticalLimits 4/10
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?
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This is a lens that proves that you can create an f/1.2 lens and not have it cost an absolute fortune. A bit of a marketing gimmick, sure, but if f/1.2 is what you really, really want, then it’s worth contemplating buying.
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Priced well under $500.00, the ultra-useful Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM Len is destined to be an ultra-popular choice for a wide range of general-purpose uses, including portraits, lifestyle, street, creative expression, and far more.
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[T]he Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM is an interesting addition to Canon’s lineup. The list of strengths and weakness are probably equal, as while the lens is small, light, and bright, it also has many optical shortcomings [...]
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[C]onsidering the lens's price point, this is more or less exactly the performance I was expecting out of it.
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The Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM is an incredibly cheap, very cheerful and insanely fast standard prime lens that should definitely be on your short-list of lenses. It produces satisfyingly sharp image quality, quick and reliable auto-focusing and surprisingly good build quality [...]
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It's not the most perfect thing in the world, but the proof is in the pudding.
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I think the Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM is brilliant little lens that's going to sell like gangbusters. While the RF 50mm f/1.8 is always going to reign as the cheapest and almost-smallest lens in the lineup, for a couple of hundred bucks more the 45mm is the better option.
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I'm less willing to forgive the autofocus, which is noisy and slow enough to miss out on some candid photo ops, but it's a reasonable compromise when you consider the $470 cost of entry [...] Accordingly, the RF 45mm F1.2 STM earns our Editors' Choice award [...]
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The omission of weather sealing or an included lens hood are also reminders that this lens is built to a price. Still, if you're looking for blown-out background or low-light chops on a relatively tight budget, this lens has no rival for Canon cameras.
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I would recommend it at $470.
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I'm going to say actually, I think this might be the best lens released ever.
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The Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM is an excellent addition to Canon's lens lineup.
- Photo Review 8.8/10
A compact and lightweight, fast standard prime lens with an affordable price tag that makes a decent walk-around lens for full-frame Canon RF-mount cameras.
- Phototrend 8.4/10
With this lens, Canon set itself a bold challenge: to make accessible an f/1.2 aperture that was previously reserved for far more premium lenses. And in the field, the brand delivers a particularly appealing lens.
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This new lens is extraordinary in that it offers superb bokeh and high sharpness at a price we all can afford.
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[T]his lens is a real winner.
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It's a great addition to the RF lens lineup and absolutely one that you should have your eyes on.
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The Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM makes an exciting entry into the enthusiast end of the fast-prime market.
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[A]fter taking thousands of photos with this lens now, I'm glad to say that I can confidently recommend it.
