Canon RF vs Rokinon
Updated July 2026 — Canon RF wins on stabilization and weight, Rokinon wins on focal length.
The Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM excels in portrait and macro photography, while the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 is a budget-friendly option for landscape photography.
Why Canon RF is better
Optical Quality
Superior bokeh and stabilization features.
Versatility
Better for portraits and macro work.
Build Quality
Lightweight and portable design.
Why Rokinon is better
Price
Significantly cheaper option.
Wide Angle
Offers a dramatic 115.7° angle of view.
Sharpness
Exceptional sharpness across the frame.
Overall score
Specifications
| Spec | Canon RF | Rokinon |
|---|---|---|
| Max Aperture | f/2 | f/2.8 |
| Min Focus Dist. | 1.15 ft | 10.8 in |
| Angle of View | 28.3° | 115.7° |
| Elements | 9 | 14 |
| Price | $589.00 | $231.25 |
Dimension comparison
Overview of the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM
The Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM is a versatile medium-telephoto lens priced at $589.00. It is designed for Canon's full-frame mirrorless cameras and excels in portrait, macro, and low-light photography. This lens features a bright f/2 aperture that provides beautiful bokeh, making it ideal for capturing stunning images with a pleasing background blur. Additionally, its optical image stabilization system offers up to 5 stops of shake correction, which is particularly beneficial for handheld shooting and video work.
The RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM stands out with its maximum magnification of 0.5x and a minimum focusing distance of 1.15 ft. This combination allows for impressive close-up photography, enhancing its versatility for various shooting scenarios. Overall, it’s a solid choice for photographers seeking a robust and high-quality lens for diverse applications.
Overview of the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED Super Lens
The Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED Super Lens is an ultra-wide-angle lens priced at $231.25, making it about 61% cheaper than the Canon RF 85mm. This lens is particularly well-suited for landscape and astrophotography, offering a dramatic 115.7° angle of view that captures expansive scenes effectively. With a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture, it performs well in low-light conditions, enabling photographers to capture bright, clear images even in challenging lighting.
The Rokinon lens features an advanced optical design with 14 elements in 10 groups, ensuring exceptional sharpness and clarity across the entire frame. This design minimizes distortion and chromatic aberrations, making it a reliable choice for photographers who require high-quality images in various settings.
Optical Performance Comparison
When comparing optical performance, the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM excels in delivering stunning bokeh with its f/2 aperture, which is particularly advantageous for portraiture. The lens's optical image stabilization system further enhances its performance in low-light situations, providing up to 5 stops of shake correction. This is a significant benefit for photographers who often shoot handheld or in challenging lighting conditions.
On the other hand, the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 lens focuses on wide-angle photography and excels in sharpness and clarity. With its 14 elements in 10 groups, including multiple special elements to reduce distortion and aberrations, it ensures high image quality suitable for landscapes and architectural shots. While the Canon lens is tailored for portrait and macro work, the Rokinon is designed for expansive scenes, indicating that each lens serves distinctly different photography needs.
Focusing Capabilities
Focusing capabilities vary significantly between these two lenses. The Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM offers a minimum focusing distance of 1.15 ft, allowing for half-size macro capabilities. This feature is particularly useful for photographers looking to capture intricate details in close-up shots. Additionally, the lens includes a control ring for direct setting changes, enhancing the shooting experience.
In contrast, the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 lens offers a closest focus distance of 10.8 inches. While it is not designed for macro photography, it provides precise manual focus control, which is essential for achieving sharpness in wide-angle shots. This lens is geared more towards capturing distant landscapes rather than close-up details, highlighting the different strengths of these two products.
Build Quality and Design
In terms of build quality, the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 lens boasts a robust construction, weighing 31.7 oz and measuring 6.0 x 3.5 x 3.7 inches. This durability ensures reliability during outdoor shoots and in various environmental conditions. The lens also features a built-in petal-type lens hood to minimize flare and protect the front element.
The Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM, while also well-built, is designed to be lightweight and portable, making it an ideal travel companion. It incorporates a customizable control ring, which enhances user experience by allowing quick adjustments on the fly. Both lenses are well-designed for their respective purposes, with the Rokinon focusing on durability for wide-angle photography and the Canon lens prioritizing versatility for various shooting scenarios.
Price Comparison
Price is a significant consideration when choosing between these two lenses. The Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM is priced at $589.00, while the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 lens is available for $231.25. This price difference of approximately $357.75 makes the Rokinon lens a more budget-friendly option for photographers looking for an ultra-wide-angle lens without compromising on quality.
Despite the lower price, the Rokinon does not skimp on performance, particularly for landscape and astrophotography. However, for those specifically seeking portrait and macro capabilities, the investment in the Canon lens may be justified due to its advanced features and optical performance.
User Experience and Versatility
User experience varies widely with these lenses due to their different focal lengths and intended uses. The Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM is celebrated for its versatility, functioning well in a range of environments including low-light scenarios, street photography, and detailed macro work. Its lightweight design and stabilization features make it an excellent choice for photographers on the go.
Meanwhile, the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 lens is favored for expansive landscape photography and astrophotography, offering a unique perspective that can yield dramatic results. The manual focus capability allows for creative control, particularly in scenes where depth of field and composition are crucial. Each lens caters to different photography styles, making them both valuable tools in a photographer's kit.
Which should you buy?
Choosing between the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM and the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED Super Lens ultimately depends on your specific photography needs. If you are focused on portrait, macro, or low-light photography, the Canon lens, with its superior bokeh and stabilization features, is the clear winner. However, if your interests lie in landscape or astrophotography and you are seeking a budget-friendly option, the Rokinon lens provides excellent performance at a significantly lower price. Both lenses have their strengths, making them suitable for different types of photographers.