Compare lenses

Canon RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM vs Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM

The Canon RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM and the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM side by side, computed from this guide's catalogue.

Which to pick

Pick the Canon RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM if you want a brighter f/1.4 (1.0 stops more light), for dim light and softer backgrounds. Pick the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM if you want optical stabilisation, which helps most on bodies without it and a lighter lens (500 g against 636 g).

Still torn? Ask the guide about the Canon RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM and the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM

Specs side by side

Rows that differ are in full colour; the better value is marked where one is better by any measure.
Spec	Canon RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM	Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM
Maker	Canon	Canon
Focal length	85mm (prime)	85mm (macro)
Full-frame equivalent	85mm	85mm
Maximum aperture	f/1.4brighter	f/2
Made for	Full frame	Full frame
Mounts	Canon RF	Canon RF
Stabilised	no	yesstabilised
Autofocus	yes	yes
Weight	636 g	500 glighter
Cameras it fits	18 in this guide	18 in this guide

Focal range, in full-frame terms

Canon RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM: 85mm.

Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM: 85mm.

Aperture

Canon RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM: f/1.4 wide open.

Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM: f/2 wide open.

Each opening drawn to scale against f/1.4: a smaller f-number lets in more light and blurs the background more.

Field of view

How wide each sees, at each end, on the sensor it was made for.

Cameras they fit

18 cameras in this guide take both, so either works on the same body.