Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM § 03 Head to head
Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM vs Irix Cine 21 mm T1.5
Canon 20mm f/1.4 is 0.2 stops brighter maximum aperture. Irix 21mm f/1.5 has a longer reach.
The Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM is a 20mm f/1.4 prime, and the Irix Cine 21 mm T1.5 is a 21mm f/1.5 prime. On paper the Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM comes out ahead, 6 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM 
Irix Cine 21 mm T1.5 01
Key differences
Why is the Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM better than the Irix Cine 21 mm T1.5?
- 0.2 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/1.4 vs f/1.5)
- Wider field of view (20mm vs 21mm)
- 710 g lighter (519 g vs 1229 g)
- 53 mm shorter (76.5 mm vs 129 mm long)
- Focuses 10 cm closer (0.2 m vs 0.3 m)
- Newer design (2025 vs 2022)
Why is the Irix Cine 21 mm T1.5 better than the Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM?
- Longer reach (21mm vs 20mm)
- Has a physical aperture ring
- $504 cheaper ($1,195 launch price vs $1,699 launch price)
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM has the edge: it goes wider, to 20mm against 21mm.
- architecture For architecture, the Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM has the edge: it goes wider, to 20mm against 21mm.
- low-light For low-light shooting, the Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM has the edge: its f/1.4 aperture gathers more light than f/1.5.
- astrophotography For astrophotography, the Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM has the edge: its f/1.4 aperture gathers more light than f/1.5.
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Specification
| Specification | Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM | Irix Cine 21 mm T1.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 20mm | 21mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.4 ◆ | f/1.5 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 | f/16 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 519 g ◆ | 1229 g |
| Dimensions | 99.3 x 76.5 mm | 129 x 95 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.20 m ◆ | 0.30 m |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | Yes | — |
| Aperture ring | No | Yes |
| Aperture blades | 11 | 11 |
| Optical construction | 15 elements / 11 groups | 17 elements / 9 groups |
| Filter size | 67 mm | — |
| Lens mount | Canon RF | Canon EF, Micro Four Thirds, Sony E, PL, Canon RF, Nikon Z, L-Mount |
| Released | 2025 | 2022 |
| Price | $1,699 launch price | $1,195 launch price ◆ |
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Size
- A · Canon
- B · Irix
- 76.5 × 99.3 mm
- 129 × 95 mm
The Irix Cine 21 mm T1.5 is 52 mm longer and 710 g heavier than the Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM.
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Sample frames
Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM or the Irix Cine 21 mm T1.5?
- The Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM opens to f/1.4, against f/1.5 on the Irix Cine 21 mm T1.5, 0.2 stops brighter.
- Which is lighter, the Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM or the Irix Cine 21 mm T1.5?
- The Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM weighs 519 g, 710 g less than the Irix Cine 21 mm T1.5 (1229 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM or the Irix Cine 21 mm T1.5?
- The Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM focuses down to 0.2 m, against 0.3 m for the Irix Cine 21 mm T1.5.
- Do the Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM and the Irix Cine 21 mm T1.5 have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM or the Irix Cine 21 mm T1.5 better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM has the edge: it goes wider, to 20mm against 21mm.
- Is the Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM or the Irix Cine 21 mm T1.5 better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Canon RF 20 mm f/1.4L VCM has the edge: it goes wider, to 20mm against 21mm.