Best 50mm lenses for Canon EF: Top Picks
Our catalogue lists 42 50mm lenses for Canon EF. 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.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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2.Canon EF 50mm F1.2L USM
50mm · f/1.2 · Canon EF
Canon's f/1.2 standard prime from the L line, with dust and moisture resistance and a ring USM motor. Built for shallow depth of field and low light on full-frame bodies.
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3.Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
50mm · f/50.0 · Canon EF
A fast standard prime from the 1990s with a ring-type USM motor and a metal mount. It sits between the f/1.8 models and the L-series f/1.2 in speed and build.
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4.Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
50mm · f/1.4 · Canon EF
A large 50mm f/1.4 prime from Sigma's Art line with a hypersonic motor. It weighs about 815 g and uses a 77mm filter thread.
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5.Canon TS-E 45mm f/2.8
45mm · f/2.8 · Canon EF
A normal-focal-length tilt-shift lens for Canon full frame, adding perspective and plane-of-focus control to still life, interiors and tabletop work.
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6.Canon EF 50mm F1.0L USM
50mm · f/1.0 · Canon EF
An f/1.0 normal lens from 1989, the fastest autofocus lens in Canon's EF line. It is large and now a collector's item.
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7.Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II
50mm · f/1.8 · Canon EF
The 1990 version of Canon's 50mm f/1.8 for EF mount: tiny and light, with a plastic mount and a basic micro motor. It fits any EF-mount body.
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8.Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro
50mm · f/50.0 · Canon EF
The EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro is a compact macro prime that reaches half life-size natively. A separate Life-Size Converter was sold to reach 1:1.
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9.Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD
45mm · f/1.8 · Canon EF
A stabilized 45mm f/1.8 prime for full-frame DSLRs with VC and a USD motor.
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10.Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 ZE
50mm · f/1.4 · Canon EF
The Zeiss Planar 50mm f/1.4 in Canon EF mount, a manual-focus normal lens with electronic aperture control. It takes 58mm filters and focuses as close as 0.45 m.
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11.Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.8
50mm · f/1.8 · Canon EF
Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.8: a fast standard prime lens with a 50mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/1.8, made for Canon EF mount cameras. The natural field of view suits street, documentary and everyday photography.
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12.Canon TS-E 45mm lens
45mm · f/2.8 · Canon EF
A 45mm f/2.8 standard prime lens, the Canon TS-E 45mm lens is designed for Canon EF mount bodies. A tilt-shift lens for perspective correction and selective focus, used in architecture and product photography.