Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
S-Line · f/1.2 · Premium glass
Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM
Full-frame · 950 g · Pro portrait
Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S lands at 95 and Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM at 96. That puts Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S if…
- ✓Best 50mm f/1.2 AF lens we've tested
- ✓Internal focus + silent STM
- ✓Edge-to-edge sharpness wide open
Pick Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM if…
- ✓Breathtaking bokeh
- ✓Sharp wide open
- ✓Weather-sealed L build
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S | Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM |
|---|---|---|
| Mount | Nikon Z | Canon RF |
| Focal length | 50 mm | — |
| Aperture | f/1.2 to f/16 | f/1.2 |
| Construction | 17 elements / 15 groups | — |
| Min focus | 0.45 m | — |
| Filter | 82 mm | — |
| Weight | 1090 g | ▲ 950 g |
| Filter size | — | 77 mm |
Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
- +Best 50mm f/1.2 AF lens we've tested
- +Internal focus + silent STM
- +Edge-to-edge sharpness wide open
- −Heavy at 1090g
- −Pricey
- −Massive front element (filter 82mm)
Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM
- +Breathtaking bokeh
- +Sharp wide open
- +Weather-sealed L build
- −Heavy at 950 g
- −Expensive
- −Breathing present
FAQ: Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S vs Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM
Which is better, Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S or Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM? +
Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S worth the price? +
At $2,099, Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in sharpness.
Is Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM worth the price? +
At $2,299, Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in sharpness.
Does Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S or Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.