Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM Lens Overview

The Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM is a versatile prime lens that offers exceptional image quality in a compact and lightweight design. As Canon’s most affordable RF mount lens, it provides an accessible entry point into the RF system for photographers looking to maximise the potential of their EOS R mirrorless cameras.

With a bright f1.8 maximum aperture, the RF 50mm f1.8 STM excels in low-light scenarios and delivers a beautiful background blur for isolating your subject. The super spectra coating on the lens elements enhances clarity while suppressing flare and ghosting. Coupled with a 7-blade circular aperture, this 50mm prime is equipped to capture everything from stunning portraits to detailed close-ups with a soft and pleasing bokeh.

The stepping motor (STM) AF system enables smooth, quiet autofocus that is ideal for both photo and video shooting. The minimum focusing distance of 1.15 ft opens up unique creative opportunities for experimenting with perspective with close-up photography. Whether you want to isolate a single flower in a field or capture a subject’s face with an artfully blurred background, the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM offers versatile capabilities in a portable form factor.

Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM Lens Key Features:

• Bright f/1.8 maximum aperture for low light shooting and background blur
• Stepping motor (STM) autofocus for smooth, quiet video and photo focus
• Minimum focus distance of 1.15 ft for creative close-up shots
• Super spectra lens coating to reduce flare and ghosting
• Compact and lightweight design, just 5.6 oz
• Affordable pricing for easy access to the RF system

Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM Lens User Benefits:

• Shoot in low light situations without flash
• Achieve beautiful, soft background blur for portraits
• Quiet autofocus performance for uninterrupted video recording
• Get creative with unique close-up perspectives
• Easy to carry all day for street, travel or everyday photography
• The inexpensive entry point into Canon’s mirrorless RF system
• Pair perfectly with Canon’s compact EOS R bodies
• Great starter prime lens to expand your creative options

Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM Lens Features In Detail

Bright f/1.8 Aperture

The bright f/1.8 maximum aperture enables photography in low light situations without flash and creates a gorgeous background blur for isolating your main subject. With a wide aperture, you can achieve shallow depth of field effects typically only seen in far more expensive prime lenses. Whether shooting portraits, weddings events, or concerts, the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM lens delivers beautiful bokeh.

Stepping Motor Autofocus

The stepping motor (STM) autofocus system provides smooth, quiet, and fast focus performance for both stills and video recording. You can rely on quiet AF operation during events while vlogging, or when recording candid moments. Full-time manual focusing is also available on the lens for precise control when needed.

Close Focusing Distance

Get creative with unique perspectives and magnification thanks to a minimum focusing distance of only 1.15 ft. Unlike longer telephoto primes, the 50mm focal length allows you to focus extremely close to your subject. This opens up a world of creative possibilities when photographing details, food, products and close portraits.

Compact Size & Weight

Weighing only 5.6 oz and measuring just 1.5 in long when retracted, the Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM maintains an impressively compact form factor. You can comfortably carry the lens all day without fatigue, making it a great everyday prime for street, documentary or travel photography. The portable size also balances wonderfully on Canon’s small EOS R mirrorless camera bodies.

Super Spectra Coating

Canon’s Super Spectra lens coating on the RF 50mm f1.8 STM suppresses flare, ghosting and chromatic aberration. This enhances clarity and colour accuracy when shooting backlit subjects or under harsh lighting conditions. Capture landscape images with improved contrast or shoot portraits without distracting lens flare.

7 Blade Circular Aperture

The 7-blade circular aperture retains pleasing bokeh quality when stopping the lens down for extended depth of field. Out-of-focus highlights maintain a rounded shape thanks to the aperture design. This produces a more natural-looking background blur in your images.

Affordable & Accessible

As Canon’s most affordable RF-mount lens, the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM offers an inexpensive entry point into Canon’s mirrorless system. Experience the image quality and technology of the EOS R system without breaking the bank. Ideal for beginners getting started with interchangeable lens cameras.

Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM Lens Compatibility

The Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM lens is compatible with the following Canon EOS R series mirrorless cameras:

• EOS R
• EOS RP
• EOS R5
• EOS R6
• EOS R3
• EOS R5 C
• EOS R7
• EOS R8
• EOS R10
• EOS R100
• EOS R50
• EOS R6 Mark II

The RF lens mount design means the 50mm f1.8 STM can take full advantage of communication between the lens and camera body for optimal performance.

Photography Styles For The Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM Lens

Portrait Photography – Achieve beautifully blurred backgrounds and flattering perspectives for headshots, 3/4 body and full-length portraits of families, couples, seniors and more.

Event Photography – Discreetly capture candid moments with the smooth, quiet autofocus – weddings, parties, conferences, recitals and other special events.

Low Light Photography – Shoot handheld in marginal lighting without flash thanks to the bright f/1.8 aperture.

Food & Product Photography – Take advantage of the close 1.15 ft minimum focus distance to highlight details in commercial tabletop photography.

Video Content Creation – Record vlogs, interviews, B-roll footage and more with continuous autofocus to maintain uninterrupted footage.

Everyday & Travel Photography – Compact and lightweight prime for carrying around daily for street photography and urban landscapes.

The bright f/1.8 aperture, close focusing capabilities, compact form factor and quiet autofocus make the Canon RF 50mm a versatile prime lens for portraits, events, video and more.

What We Think The Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM Lens

The Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM punches well above its weight class. As Canon’s most affordable RF lens, it delivers striking image quality and capabilities at a budget-friendly price point. We think this is an easy 5-star lens that will exceed the expectations of many enthusiasts and professional photographers alike.

With its bright f/1.8 aperture, close minimum focusing distance, and compact form factor, this unassuming nifty fifty lens outpaces Canon’s EF 50mm f/1.8 lenses in nearly every way. Low light and shallow depth of field shooters will love the bokeh potential. The stepping motor AF provides smooth focus transitions for both photo and video needs. The compact, lightweight build barely adds weight to your EOS R mirrorless body.

For photographers looking to dip their toes into the RF mirrorless system, the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM is quite possibly the best entry point lens available. Canon did not skimp on image quality or features just because this diminutive prime carries an affordable price tag. It focuses quickly, and reliably, and is quieter than any other 50mm lens we’ve used in this class.

Whether shooting portraits, food photography, grabbing candid street scenes, or capturing atmospheric low-light images, the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM is now our top recommendation for photographers needing a versatile prime lens for just over £200. For the price, we struggle to find any real faults that would dissuade us from wholeheartedly recommending this impressive nifty fifty.

What’s in the box?

1 x RF 50mm F1.8 STM Lens
1 x Front Lens Cap
1 x Rear Lens Cap

Sample Images of the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM Lens

Specifications of the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM Lens