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Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM vs Sony FE 50mm F1.8

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

CanonRF 50mm F1.8 STMSonyFE 50mm F1.8
Overview
ReleasedDecember 2020April 2016
Optics
Lens typePrimePrime
Focal length50 mm50 mm
Maximum aperturef/1.8f/1.8
Minimum aperturef/22f/22
Optical constructionSix elements in five groupsSix elements in five groups; double-Gauss design
Special elementsOne aspherical elementOne aspherical element
CoatingsSuper Spectra anti-reflection coating–
DiaphragmSeven bladesSeven rounded blades
Angle of viewFull-frame horizontal40°, vertical27°30′ and diagonal46°47° full frame; 32° APS-C
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon RFSony E
Image circleFull frameFull frame
Image circle detail–Full-frame coverage; 75 mm equivalent field of view on APS-C
CompatibilityCanon EOS R cameras; full-frame RF mount. Distinct from EF50mmF1.8STM and RF50mmF1.2LUSM–
Teleconverter supportCanon RF extenders not compatible–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.3 m0.45 m
Maximum magnification0.25×0.14×
Optical stabilisationNoNo
Autofocus detailSTM autofocus; electronic manual focus. Photography Blog reports selection of manual focus through the camera menu–
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 OpticalLimits0.45 m minimum focus distance
Magnification detailMaker maximum magnification0.25×; no unpublished AF/MF distinction inferred0.14× maximum magnification
Stabilisation detailNo lens optical IS; compatible cameras may provide body stabilisation separatelyNo optical stabilisation; compatible camera body stabilisation can be used
Design
Filter diameter43 mm49 mm
Maximum diameter69.2 mm68.6 mm
Length40.5 mm59.5 mm
Weight160 g186 g
ControlsShared focus/control ring with focus-control selector; control mode can adjust camera settingsManual-focus ring; focus mode selected on camera; metal lens mount
Filter detail43mm front filter thread; maker lists Canon250D/500D close-up lenses and PL-C B circular polariser incompatible–
Weather resistanceUK maker dust/moisture resistance entry is a dash; OpticalLimits explicitly reports no weather sealing–
Dimensions detailApproximately69.2mm maximum diameter ×40.5mm length, measured retracted by Canon68.6 mm maximum diameter × 59.5 mm length
Weight detailApproximately160g lensApproximately 186 g lens; separate hood and caps excluded. Sony Netherlands launch release states 192 g, superseded here by exact-model Sony Japan technical specifications
Lens hoodES-65B, sold separatelyALC-SH146 round bayonet hood, supplied
In the boxLens, E-43 front cap and Lens Dust Cap RF; hood and LP1014 pouch are optional according to UK maker specificationsALC-SH146 hood, ALC-F49S front cap and ALC-R1EM rear cap; no case listed
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 dateSony Netherlands announcement dated 29 March 2016 states availability from April 2016; exact first on-sale day not established. Main release retains month precision. Full independent exact-model reviews read: Photography Blog on Alpha 7S and Amateur Photographer Andy Westlake with Alpha 7R II autofocus experience. Review differences in corner sharpness and longitudinal fringing are preserved; the Blog explicitly qualifies its 12-megapixel test body. Reviews assess original launch-era focus behaviour, not subsequent firmware

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