RF 50mm f/1.2L USMvs NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

GearFrame · Updated March 2026

Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM (2018) From £2299 Best for Portraits, weddings & creative low-light work View RF 50mm f/1.2L USM

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S (2020) From £2299 Best for Portraits, weddings & creative low-light work View NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Which should you buy?

Portraits, Weddings & Creative Low-Light Work — RF 50mm f/1.2L USM (2018): The lens that proved the RF mount's potential — f/1.2 sharpness and bokeh in an L-series build.

Portraits, Weddings & Creative Low-Light Work — NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S (2020): Nikon's defining standard prime — f/1.2 rendering that only the Z-mount's large diameter makes possible.

↓ Full specifications below

Who should buy what

Quick take: These cameras are closely matched across the key specs below. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.

Full specifications

Specification	RF 50mm f/1.2L USM (2018)	NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S (2020)
Price	£2,299	£2,299
Sensor	Canon RF mount (full-frame)	Nikon Z mount (full-frame)
Video	N/A — lens	N/A — lens
Autofocus	Dual Nano USM — fast, precise, and near-silent	Multi-Focus System (dual AF groups) — fast, quiet, confident
Stabilisation	None (relies on IBIS)	None (relies on IBIS)
Burst Rate	N/A	N/A
Battery Life	N/A	N/A
Weight	950g	1090g
Dimensions	89.8mm diameter × 108mm length	89mm diameter × 150mm length
Weather Sealed	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder	N/A	N/A
Screen	N/A	N/A
Mount	77mm filter thread	82mm filter thread
Memory Cards	N/A	N/A
Connectivity	N/A	N/A

Suitability by genre

Genre	RF 50mm f/1.2L USM	NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Portrait	9.0	9.0
Wedding	9.0	9.0
Low Light	9.0	9.0

⚡ Compare specs side by side RF 50mm f/1.2L USM prices → NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S prices →

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