Canon RF 50mm F1.8 Review
The Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a shining example of why the nifty fifty formula remains a classic. Compact, lightweight, and highly affordable, it’s an everyday prime lens that delivers excellent performance without the bulk or price of its higher-end counterparts. In fact, when I wanted to travel light or just enjoy a more carefree shooting experience, I often found myself reaching for this lens instead of the heavier and pricier RF 50mm f/1.2L. It’s the perfect companion for those occasions when you don’t want to sacrifice versatility but need a setup that won’t weigh you down.
Despite its modest size and plastic-heavy construction, the lens feels solid where it counts. The metal mount gives it some durability, and its small footprint (just 160g!) makes it almost unnoticeable in your bag or on your camera. It’s ideal for casual outings or street photography when you want to avoid lugging around heavier gear like the 50mm f/1.2L, which, while magnificent, can feel like overkill for a lighter, spontaneous setup.
Optically, it punches above its weight. Wide open at f/1.8, it delivers sharp centre performance and a pleasing, if not luxury-tier, bokeh. Stopping down improves corner sharpness significantly, making it great for general-purpose use. The vignetting and chromatic aberration at f/1.8 are noticeable but manageable, and Canon’s in-camera corrections or simple tweaks in post make these a non-issue. For low-light shooting or shallow depth-of-field shots, the f/1.8 aperture is a real gift, and while it doesn’t have the same dreamy rendering as the 1.2L, it holds its own admirably, especially considering the price.
The STM autofocus motor is reliable, quiet, and quick enough for stills and video. While it doesn’t offer the lightning-fast response of Canon’s Nano USM motors, it gets the job done and feels right at home with Canon’s RF bodies. The control ring, which can be customised for focus or camera settings, is another practical touch.
The versatility of the 50mm focal length combined with the portability of this lens makes it a joy to use when you want a lighter, simpler setup. Whether for casual photography, travel, or just those days when you don’t want to carry the hefty 1.2L, the RF 50mm f/1.8 STM excels. It’s a reminder that sometimes less is more, and that you don’t need the biggest, most expensive lens to create stunning images.
Examples
Here are some recent photos I captured using the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens. These shots highlight the lens’s performance across different conditions, settings, and subjects. To view the complete collection of photos taken with this lens, the link.
