Canon Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM Lens Review
The Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM has a misleading name and mediocre performance. It's a lightweight portrait option, but its weak build and poor background blur make it a tough recommendation.
Overview
The Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM is a weird one. It's an 85mm prime, which is a classic portrait focal length, but Canon slapped 'Macro' in the name. Don't get too excited, though. The macro performance is its absolute worst feature, ranking in the bottom 20% of lenses.
What you're really getting is a lightweight, full-frame 85mm lens for the RF mount. It has image stabilization, which is nice, and an f/2 aperture. It's not the classic f/1.2 or f/1.4 portrait lens, so it's going for a different, more affordable niche.
Performance
This lens is fine, but it's not a standout in any category. The autofocus is middle-of-the-road at the 49th percentile, and the stabilization is just okay at 42nd. The optical quality is also average, sitting in the 34th percentile. Its big weaknesses are the build quality, which is in the bottom 11%, and the aperture and bokeh, which are both in the dismal 2nd percentile. So, it's not built like a tank, and it won't give you that super creamy, blurred background you might want from an 85mm.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lightweight for a full-frame 85mm lens. 92th
- Built-in image stabilization is handy for handheld shots. 88th
- The RF mount ensures good compatibility with modern Canon cameras.
- The f/2 aperture is decent for low light and some background separation.
Cons
- The 'Macro' label is misleading as macro performance is terrible. 2th
- Build quality feels cheap and ranks in the bottom 11%. 2th
- Aperture and bokeh quality are among the worst in class. 14th
- Not weather-sealed, so you need to be careful with it.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 85 |
| Focal Length Max | 85 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/85 |
Build
| Mount | Canon RF |
| Weight | 0.7 kg / 1.5 lbs |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 351 |
Value & Pricing
With a price floating between $500 and $600, the value proposition is shaky. You're paying a premium for the Canon RF badge on a lens with very average performance and some critical flaws in build and rendering. For a similar price, you could find sharper, faster, or better-built lenses from third-party brands, even if they aren't native RF mount.
vs Competition
Compared to the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 or the Meike 55mm f/1.8, this Canon lens is more specialized with its 85mm focal length but offers a slower maximum aperture. Those third-party lenses are often sharper and faster for the money. Against a zoom like the Sony 24-240mm, you lose all versatility for a bit more light gathering at one specific focal length. The Canon's main advantage is native RF mount compatibility and stabilization, but that's a high price to pay for middling optics.
| Spec | Canon Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM Lens | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Viltrox VILTROX 25mm F1.7 f/1.7 AF Lens for Fuji X Mount, | Canon Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) | Tamron Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 85mm | 55mm | 25mm | 24mm | 24-70mm | 17-70mm |
| Max Aperture | f/85 | f/1.4 | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Mount | Canon RF | Nikon Z | Fujifilm X | Canon RF | Nikon Z | Sony E Mount |
| Stabilization | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 680 | 281 | 400 | 269 | 676 | 544 |
| AF Type | - | STM | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | Telephoto | - | - | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom |
Verdict
Only consider this if you're a Canon RF shooter who absolutely needs a lightweight 85mm with stabilization and you're on a strict budget that rules out the much better RF 85mm f/1.2 or f/1.8 lenses. For everyone else, especially portrait photographers wanting beautiful bokeh or anyone needing a true macro lens, look elsewhere. This lens tries to be a jack of two trades and masters neither.