Lenses
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
Our verdict
Every photographer remembers their first 50mm f/1.8, and this STM version is the best one yet. Wide open it renders backgrounds into soft watercolour while keeping eyes tack sharp; stopped down it is sharper than kit lenses at half the price. The STM motor focuses quietly and predictably for video. It is small, plastic and humble — and it will outlive the camera you attach it to.
- f/1.8 aperture
- Silent STM motor
- 49g plastic-fantastic
- Metal mount
Why we picked it
f/1.8 turns dim rooms and golden hour into clean, usable files without raising ISO into noise.
STM focusing is silent and smooth — the lens is as good for video as it is for stills.
The fixed 50mm field of view forces you to compose by moving, which is the fastest way to improve.
Best for
- Portraits with real background separation
- Low-light and indoor shooting on a budget
- Learning composition on a fixed focal length
Keep in mind
- On APS-C bodies it behaves like an 80mm — great for portraits, tight for small rooms
- Plastic mount; treat it kindly and it will still outlast your first body
- No stabilisation — shutter speed discipline required indoors
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As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Last reviewed: September 2026