Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM - Lens review and specs

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Canon RF full-frame 2025

Autofocus

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Compare with

45mm

Focal length

f/1.2

Max aperture

346 g

Weight

14mm35mm85mm200mm600mm

▲ 45mm

Max aperture

f/1.4

f/1.2

f/2

Aperturef/1.2

f/1.2f/16

Near focus7' 8"

Far focus8' 4"

Total DOF8"

Hyperfocal192' 1"

Subject distance8' 0"

Focal length45 mm

Aperturef/1.2

SensorFull Frame

Illustrative scene preview based on this lens's focal length, aperture, and sensor coverage.

This preview uses 45mm, f/1.2, and Full Frame. Subject distance is estimated to keep lens previews comparable.

Min aperture: f/16
Diaphragm blades: 7

Optics

Optical construction: 9 elements in 7 groups

Focusing

Minimum focus: 45 cm
Max magnification: 0.13×
AF motor: STM

Physical

Weight: 346 g
Dimensions: ⌀78mm × 75mm
Filter thread: 67 mm
Color: Black

Recommended Use

Ideal for: Portraits, Street, Travel, Walkaround / Daily, Weddings

Release year: 2025
Announced: Nov 6, 2025
Approx price: $470 USD

The best

f/1.2 aperture for everyone: It is the first lens that allows you to enjoy the professional look of an f/1.2 aperture without the financial investment or physical weight of L series lenses.

Also

The perfect balance in focal length: Its 45mm offers a more organic and less "boxed" view than a 50mm, but with more portrait capacity than a 35mm, ideal for being the only lens in your backpack.

Summary

The Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM marks a milestone in the RF mount by being the first ultra-fast aperture (f/1.2) lens that does not belong to the professional "L" series. This means that Canon has managed to democratize access to extreme defocus and exceptional low-light performance, sacrificing the weather sealing and premium materials of the red series in exchange for an extremely compact design and a significantly lower price. Weighing only 346 grams, it breaks the norm that f/1.2 lenses must be heavy and bulky, making it an ideal option to always carry on the camera.

Its 45mm focal length offers a "natural standard" perspective that is located in the sweet spot between the classic 35mm and 50mm, providing a viewing angle very similar to the human eye. The STM (stepping) focus motor is optimized to be quiet and smooth, making it perfect not only for photography, but also for videographers and content creators looking for a cinematic aesthetic with blurred backgrounds. The inclusion of the customizable control ring maintains the modern ergonomics of Canon, allowing for quick ISO or aperture adjustments without taking your eye off the viewfinder.

In terms of its uses, it is an extremely versatile tool. It is excellent for half-length portraits where you want to separate the subject from the background with soft bokeh, but it also shines in street and travel photography thanks to its discretion and lightness. Its enormous aperture makes it unbeatable in dark interiors, social events or night photography without a tripod, allowing low noise levels to be maintained. In short, it is a premium "all-terrain" lens for those who prioritize luminosity and visual style over extreme robustness.