Photo: Henry Söderlund (CC BY 2.0)
RF 50mm F1.8 STM
- 50mm
- f/1.8
- Prime
- 160 g
- Min focus 0.3 m
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Quick answer
A light normal prime for Canon RF full-frame cameras with a stepping motor, often seen as the RF 'nifty fifty'.
Pros
- Light and compact (160 g)
- f/1.8 aperture
- Quiet STM focus
- Close focus 0.3 m
Cons
- No image stabilization
- Softer wide open
Verdict
The easy entry prime for RF full-frame.
About this lens
Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM: a fast standard prime lens with a 50mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/1.8, made for Canon RF mount cameras, with stepping-motor autofocus. A compact, affordable fast prime for Canon RF mirrorless cameras.
Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM specifications
- Brand
- Canon
- Mount
- Canon RF
- Focal length
- 50mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/1.8
- Lens type
- Prime
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 2020
- Optical construction
- 6 elements in 5 groups
- Aperture blades
- 7
- Autofocus motor
- STM
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.3 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.25x
- Filter thread
- 43 mm
- Weight
- 160 g
- Length
- 40.5 mm
- Diameter
- 69.2 mm
Specification source: global.canon
What can you shoot with the Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM?
- Everyday photography
- Portraits
- Low-light shooting
- Video
Its fast maximum aperture helps in dim light and gives good subject separation.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 50mm | 39.6° | 46.8° |
| APS-C | 1.6x | 80mm | 25.4° | 30.3° |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM full-frame?
Yes, it is made for full-frame RF cameras and acts as an 80mm lens on APS-C bodies.
Does the RF 50mm F1.8 STM have image stabilization?
No. Cameras with in-body stabilization can steady it, and the f/1.8 aperture helps keep shutter speeds up in low light.
RF 50mm F1.8 STM vs EF 50mm f/1.8 STM on an adapter: which should I buy?
The RF lens is native, slightly smaller overall, and works without an adapter. The EF lens is similar optically and works through the adapter.
Alternatives for Canon RF from other brands
All Canon RF lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
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