Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM vs Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM

The Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM is a zoom (24-70mm) and the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM is a 50mm prime. The zoom gives you framing flexibility from one lens; the prime trades that for a fixed focal length that's usually brighter (f/1.2 vs f/2.8) and lighter to carry. Choose flexibility or a fast single focal length.

Choose the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM if you need more reach — it goes to 70mm vs 50mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport. Choose it if you shoot wide — it starts at 24mm vs 50mm for landscapes, interiors and architecture. Choose it if you want one-lens flexibility — a 24-70mm zoom covers what the fixed 50mm can't reframe. Choose it if you shoot handheld or on an unstabilised body — it has optical stabilisation, the other doesn't.

Choose the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM if you want more light and background blur — f/1.2 is faster than f/2.8, better for low light and subject separation. Choose it if you prefer a fast, compact single focal length — a 50mm prime over a zoom.

Aperture: the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM opens to f/1.2 vs the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM's f/2.8 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.