Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM vs Canon RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM
Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM vs Canon RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM
When comparing Canon RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM and Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM, which one is better?
1. Lens Mount Comparison
The lenses each feature different lens mounts — the Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM features a Canon EF while the Canon RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM features a Canon RF — and because of this the preference varies. If you have a compatible camera, then of course that lens will be a better choice for you.
Winner: Tied — It depends on your gear
Regarding lens mount: Popular lens mounts are Canon RF and EF, Micro Four Thirds and Nikon Z. Different lens mounts lets you connect different lenses to camera bodies, but some might not be compatible. This can be helped by using an adapter, like a Canon EF to RF adapter.
2. Largest Aperture Comparison
The Canon RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM has the largest aperture of the two lenses at 2 compared to the 2.8 aperture of Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM. This means that you get more light to your sensor using Canon RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM wide open, and therefore it might be a better lens in dark situations.
Winner: Canon RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM
Regarding largest aperture: A lower aperture number means that the widest aperture on the lens is larger. This means that more light will hit the sensor and also that the depth of field will be shallower, better separating your subject from the background.
3. Anamorphic Comparison
Neither Canon RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM or Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM are anamorphic lenses.
Winner: Tied — Neither have this feature
Regarding anamorphic: Anamorphic lenses are usually used on cinema cameras and squeezes the image when its recorded, which gives the final, stretched out, image oval bokeh and a different angle of view. The most common lenses, however, are not anamorphic but spherical, which gives a spherical bokeh and is a much cheaper lens design.
4. Lens Type Comparison
Both lenses are Prime lenses, which means that you can choose both Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM or Canon RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM if you're looking for that type of lens.
Winner: Tied
Regarding type: There are two types of lenses; zoom lenses and prime lenses. Prime lenses have a fixed focal length and cannot be zoomed, while zoom lenses have a focal length range and can be zoomed in to get closer to the subject. Prime lenses are usually lighter, cheaper and let in more light. Zoom lenses are more versatile but are more expensive since they require a more advanced lens design.
Specifications
Full specifications table of Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM and Canon RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM:
| Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM | Canon RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM | |
 |  | |
| Brand | Canon | Canon |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF | Canon RF |
| Focal Length | 40 mm | 85 mm |
| Largest Aperture | 2.8 | 2 |
| Anamorphic | No | No |
| Type | Prime | Prime |
| Autofocus | Missing | Evet |
| Macro | Missing | Yes |
| Full Frame Coverage | Missing | Yes |