RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macrovs AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G
Canon
RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro (2018)
Starting from £449 new
Best for Everyday carry, travel & close-up work
View RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro
VS
Nikon
AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G (2012)
Starting from £429 new
Best for Portrait & wedding photography
View AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Everyday Carry, Travel & Close-Up Work — RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro (2018): The most versatile compact RF prime — 35mm, f/1.8, 5-stop IS, and 0.5× macro in one affordable package.
Portrait & Wedding Photography — AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G (2012): The portrait prime most Nikon DSLR shooters end up with — excellent sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and genuinely good value for a professional-quality result.
Who should buy what
Quick take: The af-s nikkor 85mm f/1.8g is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro (2018) | AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G (2012) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £449 | £429 |
| Sensor | Canon RF mount (full-frame) | f/1.8 (max aperture) |
| Video | N/A — lens | 80cm minimum focus distance |
| Autofocus | STM (Lead-screw type) — quiet for video | Silent Wave Motor (SWM) — fast and near-silent with full-time manual override |
| Stabilisation | Optical IS — 5 stops | None (relies on body VR if available) |
| Burst Rate | N/A | N/A |
| Battery Life | N/A | N/A |
| Weight | 305g | 350g |
| Dimensions | 74.4mm diameter × 62.8mm length | 80mm diameter × 73mm length |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | N/A | N/A |
| Screen | N/A | N/A |
| Mount | 52mm filter thread | Nikon F-mount (FX / DX) |
| Memory Cards | N/A | N/A |
| Connectivity | N/A | N/A |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro | AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | — | |
| Street | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Portrait | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — |
More comparisons with RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro