Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM vs Canon EF 50mm F1.2L USM
Side-by-side comparison from our catalogue data. Better values are highlighted only where a clear difference exists.
Verdict at a glance
- Canon EF 50mm F1.2L USM is faster by 1.2 stops (f/1.2 vs f/1.8), letting in more light.
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is lighter by 430g.
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is the newer design (2015 vs 2007).
| Spec | EF 50mm f/1.8 STM | EF 50mm F1.2L USM |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Canon | Canon |
| Mount | Canon EF | Canon EF |
| Type | Prime | Prime |
| Focal length | 50mm | 50mm |
| Max aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.2 (faster) |
| Released | 2015 | 2007 |
| Blades | 7 | 8 |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Groups | 5 | 6 |
| Af motor | STM | USM |
| Elements | 6 | 8 |
| Weight g | 160.0 (lighter) | 590.0 |
| Filter mm | 49 | 72 |
| Length mm | 39.3 | 65.5 |
| Diameter mm | 69.2 | 85.8 |
| Min focus m | 0.35 (closer focusing) | 0.45 |
| Max magnification | 0.21 | 0.15 |
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
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.
Pros
- Fast f/1.8 aperture
- Light and small
- Quiet STM focusing
- Metal lens mount
Cons
- No image stabilization
- Corners soften at f/1.8
- Focus ring is electronic rather than mechanically coupled
Canon EF 50mm F1.2L USM
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.
Pros
- f/1.2 maximum aperture
- L-series dust and moisture resistance
- Strong subject separation
- Ring USM with manual override
Cons
- Large and heavy for a 50mm
- Soft toward the edges wide open