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Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM vs Canon RF 75–300mm F4–5.6

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

CanonRF 50mm F1.8 STMCanonRF 75–300mm F4–5.6
Overview
ReleasedDecember 2020May 2025
Optics
Lens typePrimeZoom
Focal length50 mm75–300 mm
Maximum aperturef/1.8f/4–5.6
Minimum aperturef/22f/32–45
Optical constructionSix elements in five groupsThirteen elements in nine groups; Canon states the optical design is adapted from the EF 75–300mm F4–5.6 III
Special elementsOne aspherical element–
CoatingsSuper Spectra anti-reflection coatingSuper Spectra; no fluorine coating
Aperture detail–Maximum f/4 at 75 mm and f/5.6 at 300 mm; minimum f/32 and f/45 respectively
DiaphragmSeven bladesSeven blades
Angle of viewFull-frame horizontal40°, vertical27°30′ and diagonal46°Full-frame diagonal 32°11′–8°15′; horizontal 27°–6°50′; vertical 18°11′–4°35′
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon RFCanon RF
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityCanon EOS R cameras; full-frame RF mount. Distinct from EF50mmF1.8STM and RF50mmF1.2LUSMCanon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R cameras; 120–480 mm equivalent field of view on Canon APS-C
Teleconverter supportCanon RF extenders not compatibleNot compatible with RF extenders (The-Digital-Picture)
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.3 m1.5 m
Maximum magnification0.25×0.25×
Optical stabilisationNoNo
Autofocus detailSTM autofocus; electronic manual focus. Photography Blog reports selection of manual focus through the camera menuDC motor autofocus; no full-time manual focus override (Digital Camera World)
Focus distance detailMinimum focus distance0.30m; maker table does not distinguish AF and MF figures, so no mode inferred. Extending inner tube during close focusing, as documented by OpticalLimits1.5 m minimum focus; front element and focus ring rotate during focusing (Digital Camera World and The-Digital-Picture)
Magnification detailMaker maximum magnification0.25×; no unpublished AF/MF distinction inferred0.06× at 75 mm and 0.25× at 300 mm
Stabilisation detailNo lens optical IS; compatible cameras may provide body stabilisation separatelyNo lens optical stabilisation
Video features–Substantial focus breathing in The-Digital-Picture's test
Design
Filter diameter43 mm58 mm
Maximum diameter69.2 mm71.2 mm
Length40.5 mm146.1 mm
Weight160 g507 g
ControlsShared focus/control ring with focus-control selector; control mode can adjust camera settingsManual focus and zoom rings, AF/MF switch; no custom control ring (The-Digital-Picture)
Zoom design–Extending zoom barrel; further extension and front rotation during focusing (Digital Camera World)
Filter detail43mm front filter thread; maker lists Canon250D/500D close-up lenses and PL-C B circular polariser incompatible58 mm front thread rotates during focusing
Weather resistanceUK maker dust/moisture resistance entry is a dash; OpticalLimits explicitly reports no weather sealingCanon UK's table lists dust/moisture resistance, but Digital Camera World and The-Digital-Picture both report no weather sealing
Dimensions detailApproximately69.2mm maximum diameter ×40.5mm length, measured retracted by Canon71.2 mm maximum diameter × 146.1 mm retracted length
Weight detailApproximately160g lensApproximately 507 g lens
Lens hoodES-65B, sold separatelyOptional ET-60 hood, not included
In the boxLens, E-43 front cap and Lens Dust Cap RF; hood and LP1014 pouch are optional according to UK maker specificationsLens, E-58 II lens cap, RF dust cap and user manual
Release detailDecember2020 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum. Canon Canada scheduled mid-December2020 availability; Canon Japan records first sale24December2020. Headline retains month because the exact earliest international retail day is not documented; Japan's later day is not presented as a worldwide dateMay 2025 release confirmed retrospectively by Canon's February 2026 press release and Canon Camera Museum

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