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

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM 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 EF 85mm f/1.8 USM and Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM score essentially the same (4.4 vs 4.4). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Ranked #2 in Best Portrait Lenses Under $500

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

4.4

$499as of Apr 25

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM remains a compelling budget-friendly option for portrait and low-light photography, praised by Digital Camera World and Ken Rockwell for its compact design, fast autofocus, and surprisingly sharp performance. While it lacks weather-sealing and comes with no hood, reviewers note it delivers excellent value compared to more expensive alternatives like the f/1.2L II. The lens performs well when stopped down but shows modest sharpness at wide open aperture. This lens is ideal for enthusiasts and beginners seeking a versatile, affordable telephoto prime, though professionals may want to consider the more robust L-series options.

Strengths

— Small, compact build and lightweight at 425g, making it highly portable for travel and everyday use
— Good overall image quality with sufficient sharpness for portraiture, especially when stopped down
— Fast f/1.8 aperture allows for decent low-light performance and shallow depth of field effects

Watch-outs

— No weather-seals, making it less durable in harsh conditions
— Hood sold separately, adding to the overall cost
— Edge-sharpness could be better, particularly when shooting wide-open

$499 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #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 85mm f/1.8 USM

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM provides the telephoto reach and portability that the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 lacks, but it's significantly heavier and more expensive than the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM. Compared to the Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM, it offers less advanced optical design and doesn't include the aspherical element, though it's more versatile for portrait work. It's the most versatile of the group for telephoto applications but lacks the image stabilization and weather-sealing found in higher-end L-series lenses.

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 85mm f/1.8 USM	Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM
Mount	Canon EF	Canon RF
Focal Length	85 mm	50mm
Max Aperture	F1.8	f/1.8
Autofocus	USM	Yes
Image Stabilization	No	No
Weight	425 g	160g

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