RF 85mm f/2 IS STMvs FE 35mm f/1.8
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
VS
Sony
FE 35mm f/1.8 (2019)
Starting from £549 new
Best for Street, travel & everyday photography
View FE 35mm f/1.8
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.
Street, Travel & Everyday Photography — FE 35mm f/1.8 (2019): The everyday Sony prime — weather-sealed, compact, and optically excellent for the price. The lens most Sony full-frame shooters end up with.
Who should buy what
Quick take: The fe 35mm f/1.8 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | RF 85mm f/2 IS STM (2020) | FE 35mm f/1.8 (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £599 | £549 |
| Sensor | Canon RF mount (full-frame) | f/1.8 (max aperture) |
| Video | N/A — lens | 22cm minimum focus distance |
| Autofocus | STM (stepping motor) — smooth and quiet for video | XD linear motor — ultra-fast, near-silent, with eye and subject tracking |
| Stabilisation | Optical IS — 5 stops standalone, up to 8 stops with in-body IS | None (relies on body IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | N/A | N/A |
| Battery Life | N/A | N/A |
| Weight | 500g | 280g |
| Dimensions | 78mm diameter × 90.5mm length | 65.6mm diameter × 73.5mm length |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | N/A | N/A |
| Screen | N/A | N/A |
| Mount | 67mm filter thread | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | N/A | N/A |
| Connectivity | N/A | N/A |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | RF 85mm f/2 IS STM | FE 35mm f/1.8 |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Macro | — | |
| Video | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Travel | — |
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