Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM

Reviewers agree the centre is usable to good wide open, but the outer frame is the weak point: corners are soft from f/1.2 to f/2, the frame sharpens up at f/2.8 and is sharp across by f/4. Uncorrected files show heavy vignetting (more than 5 EV in one lab test) and clear barrel distortion, both handled by lens profiles. Bokeh fringing is strong at f/1.2 and largely gone by f/2.8 to f/4, and one lab measured a noticeable rearward focus shift when stopping down.

On rendering, testers found the background blur and subject separation clearly better than the RF 50mm f/1.8 STM, though less smooth than Canon's L-series 50s, with swirl and cat's-eye highlights toward the edges. Autofocus was described as quick and accurate for stills and quiet enough for video, but not suited to fast action, and manual focusing produces an audible whine. Verdicts split on value: most called it excellent value for an own-brand f/1.2, while the most technical test judged it overpriced for its optical performance.

Owners mostly praise the value for an f/1.2, the compact size and low weight, and the image quality and character they get for the money; one calls it a go-to lens for street photography.

The recurring complaints are severe vignetting at f/1.2, purple fringing and soft images wide open, and slow or delayed autofocus. One owner returned it the same day over image quality, and another warned professional photographers against it.