Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro § 03 Head to head
Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro vs Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0R DF DSM
Canon 35mm f/1.8 is 0.3 stops brighter maximum aperture. Yongnuo 35mm f/2.0 is 25 g lighter.
Both lenses are made for the Canon RF mount: the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro is a 35mm f/1.8 prime, and the Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0R DF DSM is a 35mm f/2.0 prime. On paper the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro 
Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0R DF DSM 01
Key differences
Why is the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro better than the Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0R DF DSM?
- 0.3 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/1.8 vs f/2.0)
- 4 mm shorter (62.8 mm vs 67 mm long)
- Focuses 18 cm closer (0.17 m vs 0.35 m)
- Has optical image stabilization
- More aperture blades (9 vs 7)
Why is the Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0R DF DSM better than the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro?
- 25 g lighter (280 g vs 305 g)
- Newer design (2024 vs 2018)
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Which should you buy?
- macro For macro photography, the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.17 m.
- street For street photography, the Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0R DF DSM has the edge: it is 25 g lighter to carry.
- travel For travel, the Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0R DF DSM has the edge: it is 25 g lighter to carry.
- low-light For low-light shooting, the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro has the edge: its f/1.8 aperture gathers more light than f/2.0.
- astrophotography For astrophotography, the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro has the edge: its f/1.8 aperture gathers more light than f/2.0.
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Specification
| Specification | Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro | Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0R DF DSM |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 35mm | 35mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8 ◆ | f/2.0 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Lens type | Standard prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full Frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 305 g (10.8 oz) | 280 g ◆ |
| Dimensions | 74.4 mm (diameter) x 62.8 mm (length) | 72 x 67 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.17 m (6.7 in) ◆ | 0.35 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.5x | — |
| Image stabilization | Yes (up to 5 stops) ◆ | No |
| Weather sealing | No | — |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 9 (circular) ◆ | 7 |
| Optical construction | 11 elements in 9 groups | 9 elements / 8 groups |
| Filter size | 52 mm | 52 mm |
| Lens mount | Canon RF | Canon RF |
| Released | 2018 | 2024 |
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Size
- A · Canon
- B · Yongnuo
- 62.8 × 74.4 mm
- 67 × 72 mm
The Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0R DF DSM is 4 mm longer and 25 g lighter than the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro.
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Sample frames
Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro or the Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0R DF DSM?
- The Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro opens to f/1.8, against f/2.0 on the Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0R DF DSM, 0.3 stops brighter.
- Which is lighter, the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro or the Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0R DF DSM?
- The Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0R DF DSM weighs 280 g, 25 g less than the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro (305 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro or the Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0R DF DSM?
- The Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro focuses down to 0.17 m, against 0.35 m for the Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0R DF DSM.
- Do the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro and the Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0R DF DSM have image stabilization?
- Only the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro has optical image stabilization.
- Is the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro or the Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0R DF DSM better for macro photography?
- For macro photography, the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.17 m.
- Is the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro or the Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0R DF DSM better for street photography?
- For street photography, the Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/2.0R DF DSM has the edge: it is 25 g lighter to carry.
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