Head-to-head · Best Portrait Lenses Under $500

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM vs Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.4). The gap is mostly about EOS R users wanting premium optics at an affordable price — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #4 in Best Portrait Lenses Under $500

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

4.3

$125as of Apr 25

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM earns its reputation as the 'Nifty Fifty' with excellent optics in a compact, affordable package. Photography Blog praised its sharpness and minimal chromatic aberration, while KenRockwell.com highlighted its superb value and compatibility across all Canon EOS cameras. The STM motor delivers quiet, smooth autofocus ideal for video work, though some users noted the lack of hard infinity stops can complicate manual focusing. This lens fits best for beginners and enthusiasts seeking an entry-level fast prime, but those wanting premium build quality may look elsewhere.

Strengths

— Bright f/1.8 aperture allows for shallow depth of field and better low-light performance
— Quiet STM stepping motor enables smooth and silent autofocus during video recording
— Compact and lightweight design at only 159g with metal mount for improved durability

Watch-outs

— No hard stops at infinity focus, making manual focusing challenging
— Light fall-off at f/1.8 in corners, though distortion is well-controlled
— All-plastic construction feels less premium despite metal mount addition

$125 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Portrait Lenses Under $500

Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM

4.4

$179as of Apr 25

The Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM represents a significant optical redesign of Canon's classic 50mm f/1.8 lens, offering superb image quality at an affordable price point. Digital Camera World praised it as 'everything you want a nifty fifty to be' while Ken Rockwell noted its 'superb optics' and 'very close focussing.' The lens features the first aspherical element in any Canon 50mm f/1.8 design since 1987 and delivers sharp performance comparable to the expensive RF 50mm f/1.2L. However, reviewers noted the lack of image stabilization and weather sealing, making it best suited for casual photographers and EOS R users seeking an affordable standard lens rather than professionals requiring robust build quality.

Strengths

— Superb image quality with very sharp performance and no barrel distortion
— World's closest-focussing non-macro 50mm lens at 0.3m minimum focus distance
— First Canon 50mm f/1.8 with aspherical element for improved optics

Watch-outs

— No image stabilization or weather sealing
— No AF/MF switch or stabilization switch

$179 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM surpasses the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 in terms of autofocus quietness and manual focus capability, but it's not as sharp as the Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM. Compared to the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM, it lacks the telephoto reach and professional build quality, though it's more affordable and offers better low-light performance. It's the most balanced option for beginners but doesn't match the premium features of the RF50mm F1.8 STM or the telephoto capabilities of the 85mm lens.

Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM

The Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM outperforms the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 with its first aspherical element and superior close-focusing distance, but it's not as compact as the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM. Compared to the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM, it lacks the telephoto reach and hood included, though it offers better overall image quality and more advanced optical design. It's the most technically advanced of the group but still lacks image stabilization and weather-sealing.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM	Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM
Mount	Canon EF	Canon RF
Focal Length	50mm	50mm
Max Aperture	f/1.8	f/1.8
Autofocus	STM Stepping Motor	Yes
Image Stabilization	None	No
Weight	159g	160g

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