Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens

The standard 50mm lens, long neglected, has more recently seen a resurgence in popularity. It is easy to see why - relatively low cost, fast, bright maximum apertures, fast focusing, the lens that can be taken anywhere no matter how low the lighting and the one that delivers the goods.

The Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM left us with some mixed emotions. Some aspects are really good if not outstanding but there's an elephant or two in the room. Let's start with the positives. In terms of resolution, it is generally very decent.

Canon's affordable RF 50mm F1.8 STM mirrorless prime is a fine choice for photographers just starting out, but hobbyists may want a bit more from an everyday lens.

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  Small and light, Bright F1.8 optics, Very sharp by f/4, Hybrid Focus/Control ring, 1:4 macro reproduction

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  Autofocus adds noise to video soundtrack, Some visible focus breathing, Not the sharpest at f/1.8, Exhibits LoCA in some situations

Compact, lightweight and close-focusing, the RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a remarkable little lens that is priced within the range of everyday photographers.

It's the cheapest Canon RF-mount lens you can buy, but how does this nifty little fifty perform?

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  Affordable, Focus ring can be customised to different settings, Image quality exceeds expectations for its price, Adds little weight to EOS R cameras, Knurled focus ring, Super compact, Compliments the look of EOS R cameras, Accepts small 43mm filters and adapters

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  Lacks an AF/MF switch, Soft corners at wide apertures, Susceptible to flare when used without the optional lens hood, Exhibits chromatic aberration along high-contrast edges, Focusing isn't completely silent, Lens hood not included in the box

Canon photographers with EOS R cameras need a bright 50mm. This one.

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  Compact and light 50mm with very fine sharpness, good brightness and favorable price.

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  Not weatherproof, moderate focus speed.

The Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM is a low-cost standard lens for the EOS R mirrorless system which, like the EF versions before it, provides an affordable entry into the World of prime lenses, low-light photography and shallow depth-of-field effects.

A next-gen nifty fifty, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is both a bargain and an essential for EOS R owners...

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  Same size & weight as EF version, … but not as plasticky!, Impressive image quality, Very affordable

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  Not weather sealed

While the Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM Lens is not the highest performing lens from an image quality perspective, the image quality is decent (quite good stopped down), and this lens holds some strong advantages.

I’m loving this fab little lens.Small, lightweight, fast to focus, razor sharp, and a really great price.

I have a 100-500mm lens and a macro lens for my r5 but wanted something small and lightweight. This fits the bill exactly; it is not expensive and the optical quality is very good, which is the main consideration in any lens.

really happy with the picture quality this lens produces. I have used it for landscapes, still life and portraits, and it never fails to deliver. What I really like about this lens is the size of it. its small and light it is a real pocket rocket lens that packs a punch

I loved Canons EF 50mm lens and I love RF 50mm more.Quiet and quick, excellent lens and good price.Great starter lens.Would recommend every Canon user to have one!

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  Durable, Great Features, Great Picture Quality, Lightweight, Simple Controls

I loved Canons EF 50mm lens and I love RF 50mm more.Quiet and quick, excellent lens and good price.Great starter lens.Would recommend every Canon user to have one!

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  Durable, Great Features, Great Picture Quality, Lightweight, Simple Controls

I use it with my EOS RP and find it an invaluable addition to my kit.

I have not owned a 50mm prime lens for years and felt it was time to do so. The image quality is amazing from my EOS R. Its good to use a fixed focal length as it makes you spend a little more time on composition.The auto focus is fast and silent. I'm so glad I bought this lens.

Had this lens a few weeks now and I am impressed with the quality. Easy to use. The only gripe is that my camera (EOS RP) doesn’t recognise it and keeps asking for a firmware update but I cannot find one!

Always a great lens and of course if you have the money, always go for the 1.2 or 1.4 where possible at it just offers that extra bit of flexibility.The 50 always delivers no matter the scenario as it never seems to be to wide and is never to zoomed in.

Had it for more that a few months now. Sharp and fast. Small, and noise is okay. Dollar for dollar probable the best rf lens out there.