RF 85mm f/2 IS STMvs A7 IV
Canon
RF 85mm f/2 IS STM (2020)
Starting from £599 new
Best for Portraits, macro & video on Canon RF
View RF 85mm f/2 IS STM
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GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Portraits, Macro & Video On Canon Rf — RF 85mm f/2 IS STM (2020): Outstanding value in the RF lineup — sharp, stabilised, macro-capable, and affordable for a portrait prime.
Portrait & Wedding Photography — A7 IV (2021): The full-frame portrait benchmark — 33MP, AI Eye AF, and exceptional skin-tone rendering in a pro-grade hybrid body.
Who should buy what
A7 IV (2021)
- Working photographers who want a reliable full-frame all-rounder
- Portrait, wedding, and event photographers needing 33MP and fast AF
- A7 III owners ready for a major upgrade in resolution, AF, and video
- Hybrid shooters who want 4K/60p and 33MP stills in one dependable body
Quick take: The rf 85mm f/2 is stm is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | RF 85mm f/2 IS STM (2020) | A7 IV (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £599 | £2,299 |
| Sensor | Canon RF mount (full-frame) | 33MP Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | — | 33.0MP |
| Video | N/A — lens | 4K/60p oversampled, 10-bit internal, S-Log3, S-Cinetone |
| Autofocus | STM (stepping motor) — smooth and quiet for video | 759-point phase-detect, AI subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | Optical IS — 5 stops standalone, up to 8 stops with in-body IS | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | N/A | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronic |
| Battery Life | N/A | ~580 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 500g | 659g body only |
| Dimensions | 78mm diameter × 90.5mm length | 131.3 × 96.4 × 79.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | N/A | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | N/A | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen |
| Mount | 67mm filter thread | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | N/A | Dual slots: CFexpress Type A + SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | N/A | USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | RF 85mm f/2 IS STM | A7 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | — | |
| Macro | — | |
| Video | — | |
| Studio Portraits | — | |
| Outdoor Portraits | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Sports & Action | — |
More comparisons with RF 85mm f/2 IS STM
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