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Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM · Canon Asia Photo Library; official press archive member RF50mm f1.8 STM Side.jpg; complete supplied canvas and white background retained.

Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM
Photo 1 of 44

Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM · Canon Asia Photo Library; official press archive member RF50mm f1.8 STM Side.jpg; complete supplied canvas and white background retained.

Canon · RF

RF 50mm F1.8 STM

Released December 2020

A compact full-frame RF standard prime with an f/1.8 maximum aperture, STM autofocus and a combined focus and control ring.

Mount
Canon RF
Focal length
50 mm
Max aperture
f/1.8
Stabilisation
No
Weight
160 g

What reviewers say

Both reviews find a compact, inexpensive lens with strong central sharpness, but soft corners and pronounced shading at wide apertures. Photography Blog recommends its value and portability, while OpticalLimits is more critical of close-focus image quality and background blur. Autofocus noise assessments differ, with Photography Blog finding it quiet in video and OpticalLimits noticing the motor.

From photographyblog.com and opticallimits.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Optics

Lens type
Prime
Focal length
50 mm
Maximum aperture
f/1.8
Minimum aperture
f/22
Optical construction
Six elements in five groups
Special elements
One aspherical element
Coatings
Super Spectra anti-reflection coating
Diaphragm
Seven blades
Angle of view
Full-frame horizontal40°, vertical27°30′ and diagonal46°

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Canon RF
Image circle
Full frame
Compatibility
Canon EOS R cameras; full-frame RF mount. Distinct from EF50mmF1.8STM and RF50mmF1.2LUSM
Teleconverter support
Canon RF extenders not compatible

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
0.3 m
Maximum magnification
0.25×
Optical stabilisation
No
Autofocus detail
STM autofocus; electronic manual focus. Photography Blog reports selection of manual focus through the camera menu
Focus distance detail
Minimum 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 OpticalLimits
Magnification detail
Maker maximum magnification0.25×; no unpublished AF/MF distinction inferred
Stabilisation detail
No lens optical IS; compatible cameras may provide body stabilisation separately

Design

Filter diameter
43 mm
Maximum diameter
69.2 mm
Length
40.5 mm
Weight
160 g
Controls
Shared focus/control ring with focus-control selector; control mode can adjust camera settings
Filter detail
43mm front filter thread; maker lists Canon250D/500D close-up lenses and PL-C B circular polariser incompatible
Weather resistance
UK maker dust/moisture resistance entry is a dash; OpticalLimits explicitly reports no weather sealing
Dimensions detail
Approximately69.2mm maximum diameter ×40.5mm length, measured retracted by Canon
Weight detail
Approximately160g lens
Lens hood
ES-65B, sold separately
In the box
Lens, E-43 front cap and Lens Dust Cap RF; hood and LP1014 pouch are optional according to UK maker specifications
Release detail
December2020 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 date

Pros and cons

Pros

  • 160 g lens weight
  • Wide f/1.8 aperture
  • 0.30 m minimum focus distance

Cons

  • No optical image stabilisation
  • Hood and pouch sold separately
  • Shared focus and control ring

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
CanonRF 50mm F1.2 L USM
Canon RF50 mmf/1.2No950 gOct 2018
CanonRF 50mm F1.4 L VCM
Canon RF50 mmf/1.4No580 gDec 2024
CanonRF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM
Canon RF35 mmf/1.8Yes305 gNov 2018

Sources

  1. canon.co.uk/lenses/rf-50mm-f1-8-stm/specifications
  2. personal.canon.jp/product/camera/rf/rf50-f18/spec
  3. personal.canon.jp/product/camera/rf/rf50-f18
  4. global.canon/en/c-museum/product/rf498.html
  5. canon.ca/en/About-Canon/News/Press-Releases/2020/2020-NOV-03-CANON-RF70-200mm-R…
  6. personal.canon.jp/product/camera/info/past-info
  7. photographyblog.com/reviews/canon_rf_50mm_f1_8_stm_review
  8. photographyblog.com/reviews/canon_rf_50mm_f1_8_stm_review/sharpness_1
  9. photographyblog.com/reviews/canon_rf_50mm_f1_8_stm_review/conclusion
  10. opticallimits.com/canon/canon-rf-50mm-f-1-8-stm-review
  11. canon.com.cn/product/rf50f18stm/index.html
  12. canon.com.cn/product/rf50f18stm/accessory.html
  13. canon.com.cn/product/rf50f18stm/sample.html
  14. canon.com.cn/product/rf50f18stm/spec.html
  15. personal.canon.jp/product/camera/rf/rf50-f18/accessory
  16. canon.jp/corporate/newsrelease/2020/2020-11/pr-rf50-f18
  17. sg.canon/en/consumer/rf50mm-f-1-8-stm/main/product

Photo: Canon Asia Photo Library; official press archive member RF50mm f1.8 STM Side.jpg; complete supplied canvas and white background retained.

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