Lenses

This New Canon Prime Lens Somehow Combines Optical Quality, Versatility, and Affordability

The new Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM isn't just a great lens. It's a great deal, too.

Wayne Grayson • Jan 20, 2026

While everyone might always be most excited about the fancy new camera, the new lens announced with it is often overlooked—or at least underappreciated. We’re not making that mistake, no sir.

Canon recently announced the new EOS R6 Mark III, an exciting all-arounder capable of 7K video recording and 40-fps photo shooting. However, while the R6 Mark III might steal the headlines with its 32.5MP sensor and array of hybrid capabilities, Canon also quietly announced a killer new lens that could be an ideal pairing.

Let’s take a look at the Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM and explore what it could offer for you and your hybrid photo and video needs.


Canon’s New 45mm Prime

Affordable, compact, and lightweight are all good terms to throw around for a prime lens, especially one offering an extremely fast f/1.2 maximum aperture. Ideal for photographers or videographers looking for a nice walking-around lens or a studio shooter, the Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM should bring a nice mix of shallow depth of field and expressive bokeh.

Plus, thanks to its wide-aperture capabilities and medium focal length, the lens should be able to handle a wide range of shots, including portraits, lifestyle content, and low-light work.

The lens will also feature a powerful yet quiet STM motor capable of smooth autofocus performance and full-time manual focus override. The lens’s optical design will further incorporate one aspherical element, which can also help reduce spherical aberrations and distortion.


Price and Availability

Ideal as a pairing with the EOS R6 Mark III, the Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM lens could be a nice option for those looking to simply create soft images with dramatic falloff. Photographers and videographers alike could be interested in this option, and with its affordable sub-$500 price point, there’s little reason to ignore it.

Here are the full specs and a link to purchase if you’re interested.

  • Full-Frame | f/1.2 Maximum Aperture

  • Compact, Lightweight Prime Lens

  • STM Stepping AF Motor

  • Customizable Control Ring

  • Aspherical Element Reduces Aberrations

Price: $469


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