Is the RF 45MM F1.2 STM lens good for portrait photography?

Yes, the RF 45MM F1.2 STM is a great choice for portrait photography thanks to its fast f/1.2 aperture and ability to blur backgrounds to make your subject stand out.

Is the RF 45MM F1.2 STM lens a good Canon low-light lens?

The RF 45MM F1.2 STM is one of the best lenses for low-light photography. The wide f/1.2 aperture lets in more light, making it great for shooting indoors or at night without using flash.

Is the RF 45MM F1.2 STM lens good for everyday or travel photography?

Yes, the RF 45MM F1.2 STM is lightweight and compact for an f/1.2 lens, making it easy to carry. It has fast and smooth autofocus too, so you can capture spontaneous moments.

What is a 45mm lens best for?

A 45mm lens is best for portrait photography, street scenes and everyday shooting. The RF 45MM F1.2 STM offers a natural perspective and fast aperture for low light and soft background blur.

What kind of photos can I take with fast lenses?

Fast lenses like the RF 45MM F1.2 STM let you capture creative shots with a shallow depth of field and beautiful bokeh effect, and they offer great low-light performance.

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RF Lenses

Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM

A lightweight 45mm prime lens with a super-fast f/1.2 aperture and smooth bokeh effect – one of the best lenses for creative photography, day or night.

Fast aperture, high impact

A lightweight 45mm f/1.2 prime lens delivering real value and dynamic creativity, the RF 45MM F1.2 STM’s wide maximum aperture places it amongst Canon’s fastest lenses – without the professional price tag.

See full specification

Taken with EOS R8 and RF 45mm F1.2 STM

aperture f/1.2
shutter speed 1/1000
ISO 100

Taken with EOS R6 Mark III and RF 45mm F1.2 STM

aperture f/1.2
shutter speed 1/100
ISO 100

Taken with EOS R8 and RF 45mm F1.2 STM

aperture f/1.2
shutter speed 1/30
ISO 800

Taken with EOS R6 Mark III and RF 45mm F1.2 STM

aperture f/8
shutter speed 1/100
ISO 100

Taken with EOS R6 Mark III and RF 45mm F1.2 STM

aperture f/2
shutter speed 1/100
ISO 100

Taken with RF 45mm F1.2 STM and EOS R8

aperture f/1.2
shutter speed 1/1250
ISO 250

Taken with EOS R6 Mark III and RF 45mm F1.2 STM

aperture f/1.2
shutter speed 1/100
ISO 100

Taken with EOS R6 Mark III and RF 45mm F1.2 STM

aperture f/1.2
shutter speed 1/100
ISO 200

A closer look at the RF 45MM F1.2 STM

Roll over the hotspots to reveal key features that place this compact prime among the best Canon lenses for portraits and low light

Large front element

Capture more light and easily blur the background for smooth bokeh and creative depth-of-field effects – even in low light
Hood mount

Attach an optional lens hood to shield the front element from stray light and rain
Focus ring

Quickly adjust the focus manually
Control Ring

A dedicated ring for intuitive control over settings while shooting
Metal mount

Robust and reliable connection to your EOS R System camera
Filter thread

Access a wide range of readily available 67mm filters to enhance your shots

The accessible fast lens for advanced photography

Whether you’re looking for the best lens for portraits or a Canon low-light lens, the RF 45MM F1.2 STM is a versatile prime – ideal for travel, street and exploring wide-aperture photography.

PEOPLE

Portrait photography

Capture standout portraits with a creative shallow depth of field and beautifully smooth background blur.

DOCUMENTARY

Street photography

A 45mm focal length offers a natural perspective, while STM autofocus is quick to respond to fleeting moments.

CREATIVE

Low light photography

Make the most of available light with a bright f/1.2 aperture and 9-blade design for elegant starburst and bokeh effects.

ARTISTIC

Travel photography

Compact and lightweight for travel, with a fast aperture that lets you capture scenes with expressive depth and clarity.

Creative depth of field control

Drag the slider from left to right to reveal how the RF 45MM F1.2 STM’s ultra-fast f/1.2 maximum aperture lets you blur backgrounds effortlessly.

F1.8

F1.2

Super-fast f/1.2 maximum aperture

Experience greater creative control with a low aperture lens that delivers beautifully shallow depth of field and brilliant low-light performance.

Take your photography further

Explore new ways of shooting using a lens that’s designed to deliver real value and brings advanced techniques and expressive images within easy reach.

Reliable autofocus for wide-aperture shots

Capture the moment with precision, even when working with a shallow depth of field. Canon’s STM AF technology stays locked on your subject, so you can focus on composition.

Compact 45mm prime lens for everyday use

A fast lens that won’t slow you down, the RF 45MM F1.2 STM is the first Canon RF f/1.2 lens weighing less than 400g. With its constant length and lightweight build, it’s a balanced choice for both photography and video.

Designed for versatile shooting

With separate focus and control rings, a convenient 67mm filter size and a minimum focusing distance of just 45cm, this versatile lens lets you fine-tune your vision and capture impressive detail up close.

Specialist build quality

Enjoy lasting performance thanks to a metal mount that securely connects to your EOS R System camera. Features include a 9-blade aperture, aspheric lens element, Super Spectra coating and focus breathing correction when used with a compatible camera.

45mm prime lens

A standard perspective for natural-looking images
f/1.2 prime lens

Ultra-fast and bright for creative depth of field control
Compact and lightweight

Canon’s first RF f/1.2 lens with autofocus weighing less than 400g
STM motor

Delivers smooth, fast and quiet autofocus
Control ring

Enjoy easy customisation and control over camera settings
9-blade circular aperture

For artistic bokeh and highlights

See full specification Get Support

RF 45MM F1.2 STM compared

A quick at-a-glance guide to see how the RF 45MM F1.2 STM compares to other RF primes.

RF 45mm F1.2 STM

RF 45MM F1.2 STM

RF 50mm F1.8 STM

RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM

RF 50mm F1.4L VCM

Optical Features/Specifications

Image size

Full Frame

Angle of view (horzntl, vertl, diagnl)

49° 35', 29° 50', 51° 20'

40° 00′, 27° 30′, 46° 00′

63°, 38°, 54°

40°, 27°, 46°

Lens construction (elements/groups)

9/7

6/5

11/9

14/11

Special optics

1x PMo Aspherical

1x GMo Aspherical

1x UD
2x Aspherical (1x GMo)

Special features

Iris Ring (Video)

No. of diaphragm blades

Minimum aperture

Closest focussing distance (m)

0.45

0.30

0.17

0.40

Maximum magnification (x)

0.13

0.25

0.5

0.15

Control Ring

Yes

Combined / Focus

Yes

Image stabilizer OIS¹

5 stops

Image stabilizer IBIS x OIS¹

Center 8.0 stops
Corner 7.5 stops

Center 7.0 stops

Center 8.5 stops
Corner 7.0 stops

AF actuator

STM

Nano USM, VCM

Coatings

Super Spectra

ASC, Super Spectra

Fluorine

Front

Physical Specifications

Dust/moisture resistance³

Yes

Filter diameter (mm)

Max. diameter x length (mm)²

78 x 75

69.2 x 40.5

74.4 x 62.8

76.5x 99.3

Weight (g)

346

160

305

580

Accessories

Lens cap

E-67 II

E-43

E-52 II

E-67 II

Lens hood

ES-73B

ES-65B

EW-52

ES-73

Lens case/pouch

LP1116

LP1014

LP1016

LP1219

Rear cap

Lens Dust Cap RF

Specifications

Support

Specifications

1. Tested under CIPA standard. Lenses released after July 2024 tested under CIPA-2024 standard in the yaw/pitch (+ roll in case of IBIS) directions at maximum focal length, with a specific camera.
2. Lens dimensions when in retracted state
3. Lenses with dust/moisture resistance are fitted with a rubber ring on the lens mount which may cause slight abrasion of the camera mount. This in no way effects either the lens or camera performance.

What’s in the box

RF 45MM F1.2 STM Lens
Lens Cap E-67 II
Dust Cap RF
User Manual

Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM
Ratings & Reviews

Frequently asked questions about the RF 45MM F1.2 STM

Yes, the RF 45MM F1.2 STM is a great choice for portrait photography thanks to its fast f/1.2 aperture and ability to blur backgrounds to make your subject stand out.
The RF 45MM F1.2 STM is one of the best lenses for low-light photography. The wide f/1.2 aperture lets in more light, making it great for shooting indoors or at night without using flash.
Yes, the RF 45MM F1.2 STM is lightweight and compact for an f/1.2 lens, making it easy to carry. It has fast and smooth autofocus too, so you can capture spontaneous moments.
A 45mm lens is best for portrait photography, street scenes and everyday shooting. The RF 45MM F1.2 STM offers a natural perspective and fast aperture for low light and soft background blur.
Fast lenses like the RF 45MM F1.2 STM let you capture creative shots with a shallow depth of field and beautiful bokeh effect, and they offer great low-light performance.