Which Is The Best 50mm Lens for Canon in 2023? The Latest Reviews

50mm lenses are the undisputed workhorses of the world of photography. Not only are they known for being super sharp but also tend to be fast and light in weight. In fact, some of them are also reasonably priced. But when it comes to the battle of the bokeh, there are quite a few factors that you should always keep in mind.

• Sharpness of the image
• Build quality
• Ease of use

And now we have compiled a comprehensive list of the best 50mm lens for canon. Hopefully, you’ll find this run-down beneficial to your decision-making process.

50mm Lens for Canon – Comparison

Preceding the in-depth reviews is this brief comparison chart. This is meant to provide you with a quick idea on what to expect, in advance.

1. Canon EF 50mm STM Lens f/1.8

This 25-th anniversary lens from Canon represents the best there is in the world of lenses currently. It boasts a prime wide aperture which lets in light even when one is filming in poorly lit conditions.

Besides that, it boasts an award-winning image quality. Plus it’s sharp, dependable and easy-to-handle.

Just to give you a rough idea of how good this unit is, we’d like to confirm that it’s little, neat, and full of power. The power is probably attributed to the Stepping Motor technology (STM) used for this unit.

As you know, the STM technology is all it takes to deliver superb results for all video works. That’s in addition to the fact that this unit comes with an all-new image focusing power which works quietly.

So, if you’re looking to capture some discreet shots, this lens is a must-have. Likewise, this 50mm lens comes with seven blades.

That’s 2 more than the commonly recommended quantity for a high-quality bokeh. In practice, the 7 blades go a long way in making the Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM better than your average lens.

When used on a full frame body, this 50mm focal length lens produces highly sharp and natural images.

It’s no wonder 50mm lenses are regularly recommended for all sorts of tasks. We’re talking about weddings, sports, landscape, architecture, and even portraiture filming & photography.

Therefore, if you’re looking for a versatile lens that can keep you going for many more days, we’d recommend this one to you – any day.

Pros

• Great build quality
• Awesome metal mount
• Compact and easy to handle
• Ultra-wide aperture
• Awesome imaging sensor
• Sharp images at f/1.8

Cons

• Narrower field of view when used on APS-C camera types

2. Canon EF 50mm DSLR Lens f/1.2

This is so far the fastest lens in the Canon lineup. In fact, it’s one of the fastest in the market currently.

The weather-sealed lens boasts an optical construction comprising more than 8 elements. The most important of these 8 elements is a large aspherical element. This element goes a long way in keeping aberrations under full control.

Its wide aperture comes in handy when one needs to capture shots even in places with poor lighting. And as a result, kind of images are pretty beautiful and also have a distinctive look. 

The wide aperture further increases background blur. This, therefore, makes it a good choice for anyone who wants to get creative with their shots.

The icing on the cake is that this lens comes with a weather-resistant housing. That’s alongside an ultrasonic motor (USM) which does a stellar job of ensuring a seamless video recording experience.

Pros

• The ability to capture sharp images
• Weather-sealed body
• Reasonably wide aperture
• Extremely fast and powerful

Cons

• Some complain that it’s heavier than average

Also read: Best 4K Camera on a Budget And 15 Best Cameras for Low Light Photography

3. Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Canon Lens

Released in 2014, this lens has so far received high praises from different pundits. That’s especially the case when it’s compared to other existing f/1.4 lenses.

Indeed, the sigma seems to be specifically designed for APS-C and full-frame cameras. That means, it’s a lens that everyone who likes to explore with photography should at least consider investing in.

The unit is powered by a Hyper-Sonic Motor (HSM) which comes in handy in providing a high-speed autofocus. The motor is also pretty quiet! That’s the kind of stuff you need to shoot discretely and smoothly.

Further, the unit comes with a 9 blade diaphragm which creates a superb out-of-focus effect on the background. Therefore, we’d recommend it at any time as a go-to item for the creative guys in the room.

Also, this 50mm lens is compatible with the Optimization Pro software and Sigma USB dock. That’s the kind of freedom needed to adjust and fine-tune various focusing parameters.

Pros

• Superb autofocus and manual focus performance
• Pretty sharp images at f/1.4
• High level of detail
• Incredible bokeh rendering capacity

Cons

• Its corners start out a bit weaker

4. Yongnuo EF 50 mm f/1.8 Lens

This would be a great portrait lens for a camera with an APS-C sensor. It can also be used as a general purpose unit on a full-frame sensor camera.

Its high level of brightness makes it a sure bet for nighttime photography especially when one doesn’t want to use a flash. Besides that, the Yongnuo comes in handy when one wants to experiment with background bokeh or blur.

In particular, this unit is perfectly suited for amateurs and starters. That’s because of its fixed focal length which also makes it pretty easy to use.

And, there is absolutely no doubt that this lens is well priced. In fact, it goes for almost half the price of other competing fixed focal length lenses.

And, there is absolutely no doubt that this lens is well priced. In fact, it goes for almost half the price of other competing fixed focal length lenses.

And, there is absolutely no doubt that this lens is well priced. In fact, it goes for almost half the price of other competing fixed focal length lenses.

Well, for many, that may be an unfamiliar name. But for the avoidance of doubt, we decided to unmask the company behind this product.

Our editors discovered that it’s produced by a Chinese company which is a part of the Shenzhen YongNuo Photographic firm.

The company also produces flashes and even 35mm f/2.0 lenses.

One thing that sets the Yongnuo brand apart from the rest is its ability to offer attractive prices. The Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8, in particular, is quite affordable yet well built.

For instance, its exterior is built to resemble an old canon lens. A closer look at one of its sides reveals a switch that helps you choose between auto and manual focus.

That said, it’s important to keep in mind that this lens comes with a plastic film at the front. The film is so clear and you might accidentally start to shoot with it in place.

We’d, therefore, recommend removing this film. Otherwise, your image quality would end up being a little disappointing. 

Pros

• Light in weight
• Increased light transmission
• Ideal for contrast-rich shots
• You’d get true-to-nature shots

Cons

• Flare occurs with bright backlighting

5. Canon EF 50MM USM f/1.4 Canon Lens

Designed for both professional and casual photographers, this Canon EF lens offers a great combination of versatility and image quality. It features a f/1.4 aperture for maximum clear imaging especially in low light environments or shallow depths of field. As such, the lens is perfect for use in any field of photography.

What’s more? The lens employs Gaussian optics and two high-refraction lenses that combine to suppress and eliminate the astigmatic difference. Consequently, it becomes easy to obtain clear and crisp images with minimal or no flare at the maximum aperture.

Additionally, the lens is outfitted with autofocus system powered by an ultrasonic motor to help capture the best natural shots. And you what the best part is? The autofocus works silently and accurately without disturbing the surroundings. In addition, the focal length can easily be adjusted via a manual override without leaving AF mode. 

As if that’s not enough, it boasts Spectra coating designed to minimize ghosting and flare while also ensuring accurate color balance. With 8 diaphragm aperture blades, the lens provides sharp results rich in color in various shooting situations. This, therefore, makes it suitable for day-to-day shooting and portraits.

But wait there’s more! The Canon EF lens is constructed from 8 elements in six groups to ensure image clarity in almost any scene. In addition, it spots a minimum focusing distance of 17.8-inches which is decent enough for the price.

Pros

• High-speed auto-focus system with manual adjusting capability
• Delivers excellent peripheral brightness
• Autofocus motor is virtually silent
• Backed by one-year warranty
• Well- built for use in the outdoors

Cons

• Few people have found the Autofocus system to be a tad slower 

6. Sigma 50mm HSM Lens f/1.4 DSLR Lens

If you are on a tight budget, this Sigma EX DG HSM lens is worth considering. While it’s not extremely cheap, it is more affordable than most lenses in this guide from other brands. In addition, it is very compact yet provides the necessary image quality making it ideal for everyday use.

Performance wise, the lens incorporates a multi-layer coating in order to minimize extreme ghosting effects and flare. You can, therefore, take beautiful shots at large angles without worrying about the effects of light hitting the lens.

Another feature that sets the lens apart from the competition is its built-in molded glass aspherical. This feature is designed to correct any coma aberration for superior image quality. 

Besides, it boasts an F1.4 maximum aperture that is large enough for taking portraits as well as outdoor and indoor photography. Thanks to the large aperture, the lens provides superior peripheral brightness in any lighting situation.

On top of that, the Sigma EX DG HSM lens is outfitted with nine diaphragm blades alongside 8 elements in 6 groups. This allows you to capture sharp images with enhanced colors and high contrast. Also included are a carrying case, front and rear caps, and lens hood.

Pros

• Superior performance in both bokeh and saturation
• Fast autofocus with great accuracy
• Reasonably priced
• Delivers high-quality shots especially for portraits
• Ideal for professional photographers and enthusiasts alike

Cons

• A little bit on the heavier side
• Autofocus system is not very accurate

7. Canon EF 50mm Macro Len f/2.5

Offering superior performance at an unbeatable price, the Canon EF Macro lens is designed to be light in weight and compact. In fact, it is Canon’s shortest macro lens when it comes to both physical and focal length.

For great performance especially at close focusing distances, the lens’s 9-element design is outfitted with a floating optical system. As such, you’ll be able to take clear and crisp photos with great color reproduction.

And you know what the best part is? The lens comes equipped with f/2.8 aperture that provides for better focus in low-light conditions. However, it does not feature the famous Ultrasonic Motor focusing. Therefore, its focusing is reported to be medium fast and somewhat noisy.

Additionally, the Canon EF Macro comes with an optional Life Size Converter EF accessory designed to increase focusing distance down to (1:1) life-size. This allows for better close-up shooting in a multitude of situations.

Moving on, Canon does not offer a lens hood for this particular lens model. But as it is, the lens shows good resistance to ghosting and flare since the front element is recessed deep inside. As such, color and contrast are excellent. Distortion is also well managed even with very close subjects.

In addition to the lens’s macro application, it can be used as a normal lens. Besides, the lens is not only narrower but also light for superior portability.

Pros

• Great image quality across a wide range
• Ideal for shooting indoors and outdoors under different conditions
• Delivers great bokeh every time
• Solidly built and easy to use
• Highly compact and affordable

Cons

• Slow AF that is not quiet

8. SMC Pentax FA f/1.4 50mm Lens

With a F/1.4 large aperture, the SMS Pentax FA is extremely bright even at low ISO speeds. And thanks to the large aperture, the lens boasts a great depth of field control and ultra-fast shutter speeds. This makes it perfect for use in any shooting situations including windy and low-light conditions.

What’s more? It features a focal range equivalent to 75mm making it ideal for taking up-close shots from a considerable distance. The high focal length also helps in minimizing the depth of the field so you can focus on the image only.

You know what else? Whether you are a professional photographer or just a hobbyist, you can take the lens anywhere with you. This is for the fact that it weighs just 7.8 ounces and is only 1.5 inches long. 

Similar to other Canon 50mm lenses, this model from the Pentax brand is also fitted with a multi-coating to help minimize ghosting effects. It also comes equipped with a low dispersion glass for superior edge-to-edge sharpness and image clarity.

More importantly, it spots a complete automatic diaphragm to give you sharp results in both normal and low light areas. Last but not least, the lens comes with a fast and accurate AF system for best natural shots. The only downside with the system is that it is only compatible with Pentax AF cameras.

Pros

• Produces clean and crisp photos
• Budget-friendly
• Wide angle of view
• Super large aperture with fast shutter speeds
• A superior and sharp autofocus system 

Cons

• Does not include a lens hood

9. Canon 50mm Macro Lens f/2.8L DSLR Lens

Renowned for its superb, perspective control capabilities, this lens boasts immense shooting power. It has a wide aperture which allows for the penetration of light even in dimly lit areas.

The lens is, further, known for its ability to capture sharp images. Indeed, its exciting potential is far-reaching.

Behind its well-built, ribbed rubber-ring, this Canon presents you with superb power over manual focusing. So, if you’re an advanced photographer or videographer looking to capture award-winning shots, this is your go-to device.

In particular, the lens delivers an awesome performance at the f/2.8 level. And another thing, this DSLR lens does a great job of warding off glare and reducing flare.

This is achieved all thanks o the fact that it comes with an advanced lens coating meant for ghosting.

Moving on, this lens boasts macro capability. That’s alongside the fact that it packs a ratio of 1:2. This makes it superb for food photography.

Looking for the best Canon 50mm lens for your eCommerce store business? No other lens so far seems to have the kind of potential this one has in that realm.

Under the hood is a lineup of 12 elements strategically placed in 9 groups. There are also 9 diaphragm blades. What’s more? You get an optimal aperture at f/2.8 and minimal aperture at f/32.

Pros

• Extremely easy to use
• Great level of manual focus
• Built-in shift mechanism
• Up to 7 different rotation options provided

Cons

• Only comes with manual focus

10. Sigma f/2.8 50mm Macro Lens

The rise of DSLR cameras means there’s a growing demand for lenses with the latest optical technology. Fortunately, the Sigma is one of the latest Macro Lens which meet the grade.

Right off the bat, this unit corrects various aberrations. That’s in addition to the fact that it is specially coated with the objective of attaining an incredible color balance.

Indeed, this is one of the few resources out there capable of cutting on reflections and flares typical of digital image sensors.

Another thing, this Canon 50mm lens is designed to provide the highest level of correction against any lateral chromatic aberrations. This is such a serious problem among DSLR cameras so far.

On top of that, this piece of equipment boasts a floating focusing system. The system comes in handy when one needs to capture shots of objects within a wide focusing range.

Given the fact that this is neither a telephoto or wide angle lens, we think it’s a versatile option. So, no matter your style of photography, you’re definitely likely to fall in love with it.

Pros

• Excellent build quality
• Relatively sharp focus
• Light in weight and compact
• True macro lens

Cons

• Its focus system is a bit slow and noisy

Which One Is The Best?

The top position on this review of the best 50mm lens for Canon would go to Canon EF 50mm DSLR Lens f/1.2. Not that the other lenses aren’t great, but because we believe that this one offers a bit more of everything that matters. For instance, it’s designed to let in at least 66% of light penetration. Besides that, it comes with a USM motor which is not only effective but also quiet in operation. Therefore, if you’re looking to make the most out of your latest Canon gear, this lens is a must-have.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, different 50mm Canon lenses are built differently. You’re, therefore, better off understanding your unique needs before settling on any one of them. You can do this by understanding your style of photography and level of experience. Also, the type of camera you own matters a lot. As explained above, some lenses are best suited for DSLR cameras while others are designed as general purpose units. So, hopefully, this rich list of 2018 reviews will help you make an informed choice today.