Best 50mm lenses: Top Picks
Our catalogue lists 386 50mm lenses. The 'nifty fifty' range: fixed lenses between 45mm and 58mm, close to the natural perspective of the eye.
How these were picked. Lenses are ranked using only data in our catalogue: those with editorial notes first, then those with a photo and a buying link, newer release years where known, and faster maximum apertures as a tie-breaker. This is a data-based shortlist, not a hands-on test ranking.
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1.Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM
50mm · f/1.4 · Sony E
A compact G Master 50mm for E-mount with an f/1.4 aperture and an aperture ring. It weighs about 516 g, lighter than the FE 50mm F1.2 GM.
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2.Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM
50mm · f/1.2 · Sony E
A very bright 50mm prime for full-frame E-mount with an f/1.2 aperture. It targets portrait and low-light shooters who want strong subject separation.
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3.Sony FE 50mm F2.5 G
50mm · f/2.5 · Sony E
Compact 50mm prime for full-frame E-mount with an f/2.5 aperture and an aperture ring. It weighs about 174 g and matches Sony's compact G prime line.
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4.Nikon Nikkor Z MC 50mm F2.8
50mm · f/2.8 · Nikon Z
A compact 1:1 macro lens for Nikon Z full-frame cameras. Smaller than the 105mm macro.
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5.Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S
50mm · f/1.2 · Nikon Z
A fast normal prime for Nikon Z full-frame mirrorless cameras with an f/1.2 aperture. Large and heavy for a 50mm, aimed at demanding portrait and low-light work.
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6.Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM
50mm · f/1.8 · Canon RF
A light normal prime for Canon RF full-frame cameras with a stepping motor, often seen as the RF 'nifty fifty'.
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7.Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM
50mm · f/1.2 · Canon RF
A fast standard prime for Canon RF full-frame cameras with an f/1.2 aperture. Large, heavy and weather-sealed.
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8.Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S
50mm · f/1.8 · Nikon Z
A normal prime for Nikon Z full-frame mirrorless cameras from the S-Line. Known for edge-to-edge sharpness, a quiet stepping focus motor and weather sealing.
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9.Sony FE 50mm f/1.8
50mm · f/1.8 · Sony E
A lightweight 50mm prime for full-frame E-mount with an f/1.8 aperture. It weighs about 186 g and has no built-in stabilization.
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10.Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
50mm · f/1.8 · Canon EF
Compact 50mm f/1.8 prime with an STM stepping motor and a metal mount, replacing the older f/1.8 II. Covers full frame and works on APS-C EOS bodies.
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11.Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA
55mm · f/1.8 · Sony E
A compact Zeiss normal prime for full-frame E-mount, weighing about 281 g. It focuses as close as 0.5 m and takes 49mm filters.
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12.Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G
50mm · f/1.8 · Nikon F
A modern normal prime for Nikon F-mount DSLRs with a silent-wave autofocus motor and f/1.8 aperture. Covers full frame and gives a short-portrait view on DX.