Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens Review: A Solid Choice for Everyday Photography

I've had the chance to test the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens for a couple of weeks now, and it's been an interesting experience. This lens is often marketed as an affordable option for photographers looking to step up from their kit lens. With the promise of better low-light performance and more control over depth of field, it certainly caught my eye.

The lens is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around. It fits well with EOS cameras, and its fixed 50mm focal length offers a nice middle ground for various types of photography. While it's primarily known as a 'nifty fifty' for portraits, I've found it to be quite versatile for street photography and even some landscape shots.

One of the first things you'll notice is the wide f/1.8 aperture. This is a step up from the typical f/4-5.6 range of most kit lenses. The aperture allows more light into the sensor, making it easier to shoot in dim conditions without cranking up the ISO too much. This, in turn, helps you avoid the noise that can ruin a low-light shot.

Overall, my initial impressions are positive. It's not perfect, but the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens offers good value for its price point. Now, let's dive deeper into its performance and see how it stands up in different scenarios.

The design of the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens is straightforward and functional. It weighs just about 5.6 ounces, making it super easy to carry around. If you're like me and often find yourself shooting on the go, this lens won't weigh you down.

The build is primarily plastic, which keeps the weight down but also means it's not the most rugged lens out there. The lens mount, however, is metal, which adds a bit of durability where it's most needed. This metal mount is a nice touch compared to other budget lenses I've used, which often feature wholly plastic construction.

In terms of ergonomics, the lens is compact with a simple layout. There's a focus ring that feels smooth when turned, which is good for manual focusing. However, the ring is a bit narrow, so if you have larger hands, it might take some getting used to. The overall handling is comfortable, and the lens feels balanced when mounted on a camera.

One of the things I appreciated is the lens cap and rear cap that come with it, which offer basic protection when the lens is not in use. While the design is not groundbreaking, it gets the job done without any fuss. For its price, the build quality is about what you'd expect, neither luxurious nor flimsy.

When it comes to performance, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens does a pretty solid job for its price. The f/1.8 aperture is definitely its standout feature. In practice, this means you can shoot in low-light environments without having to rely on a flash, which is a big plus if you're trying to capture the mood of a setting.

The STM motor is another feature that's worth mentioning. It provides near-silent autofocus, which is especially nice when you're recording video. In photos, the autofocus is reasonably fast and accurate, although it might hunt a bit in very dim settings. Compared to my older lenses, the focusing speed and noise reduction are noticeable improvements.

For portraits, the 50mm focal length is a sweet spot. It lets you fill the frame without having to get too close to your subject. The bokeh effect, or background blur, is decent at f/1.8, providing a nice separation between the subject and the background. However, it's not the smoothest I've seen, but it's good enough for most casual shoots.

One downside I noticed is that the lens isn't weather-sealed. So if you're planning to shoot in rough conditions, you might want to be cautious. Overall, while it doesn't outperform high-end lenses, it certainly holds its own in the budget-friendly category.