Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM vs RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM: which to buy?

Canon's two low-cost F1.8 primes for RF mount. The 160 g RF 50mm F1.8 STM launched at $199.99 in 2020; the 305 g RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM, with 5 stops of stabilization and 0.5x close focus, launched at $499.99 in 2018.

Why it exists. This page is for anyone deciding which low-cost RF prime to buy first. The RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM suits travel, close-ups and camera bodies without in-body stabilization; the RF 50mm F1.8 STM costs less, is smaller and gives a tighter view for portraits.

A dog, photographed with the Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM — **Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM**160 g · launched at $199.99 in 2020Taken with the Canon EOS R5 and Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM. Photo: 迷惘的人生 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)

Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM lens standing on a white background — **Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM**305 g · launched at $499.99 in 2018Photo: Chris Calvin via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)

Side-by-side specs

	Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM	Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
Format	Full-frame RF; about 80 mm equivalent on APS-C	Full-frame RF; about 56 mm equivalent on APS-C
Aperture	F1.8–22; 7 blades	F1.8–22; 9 blades
Optics	6 elements in 5 groups, 1 PMo aspherical	11 elements in 9 groups
Autofocus	STM	STM
Stabilization	None in the lens	5 stops; Hybrid IS
Closest focus	0.30 m; 0.25x	0.17 m; 0.5x
Filter	43 mm	52 mm
Hood	None	EW-52, sold separately
Sealing	Not sealed	Not sealed
Size and weight	69 × 41 mm; 160 g	74.4 × 62.8 mm; 305 g
Launch price (US)	Canon: Launched at $199.99 in 2020 (US)	Canon: Launched at $499.99 in 2018 (US)

Specs from our RF 50mm F1.8 STM and RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM reviews, which cite Canon specifications; US launch prices from Canon (November 3, 2020 and September 5, 2018). ✓ = advantage; blank = tie or not directly comparable.

Sample photos

Five photos taken with the RF 50mm F1.8 STM on a Canon EOS R5 or EOS R and six with the RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM on a Canon EOS R5 Mark II, shared on Wikimedia Commons under open licenses. The first RF 50mm photo is the one at the top of the page.

Sample photo 2 of 5 taken with the Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM — Taken with the Canon EOS R5 and Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM. Photo: MIKI Yoshihito via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (resized)

Sample photo 3 of 5 taken with the Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM — Taken with the Canon EOS R5 and Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM. Photo: MIKI Yoshihito via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (resized)

Sample photo 4 of 5 taken with the Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM — Taken with the Canon EOS R and Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM. Photo: MIKI Yoshihito via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (resized)

Sample photo 5 of 5 taken with the Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM — Taken with the Canon EOS R and Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM. Photo: MIKI Yoshihito from Sapporo City,Hokkaido., JAPAN via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (resized)

Sample photo 1 of 6 taken with the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM — Taken with the Canon EOS R5 Mark II and Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM. Photo: GodeNehler via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)

Sample photo 2 of 6 taken with the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM — Taken with the Canon EOS R5 Mark II and Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM. Photo: GodeNehler via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)

Sample photo 3 of 6 taken with the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM — Taken with the Canon EOS R5 Mark II and Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM. Photo: GodeNehler via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)

Sample photo 4 of 6 taken with the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM — Taken with the Canon EOS R5 Mark II and Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM. Photo: GodeNehler via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)

Sample photo 5 of 6 taken with the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM — Taken with the Canon EOS R5 Mark II and Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM. Photo: GodeNehler via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)

Sample photo 6 of 6 taken with the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM — Taken with the Canon EOS R5 Mark II and Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM. Photo: GodeNehler via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)

Who should buy which

Get the RF 50mm F1.8 STM if

You want the lowest price: $199.99 at launch vs $499.99.
You want the smallest, lightest prime: 160 g and a 43 mm filter.
You want a tighter view for portraits, about 80 mm equivalent on an APS-C body.

Get the RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM if

You want one wider lens for travel and everyday shooting.
You shoot close-ups: 0.5x at 0.17 m vs 0.25x at 0.30 m.
Your body has no in-body stabilization, such as the EOS RP or EOS R8, and you want 5 stops of IS in the lens.

See our full RF 50mm F1.8 STM and RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM reviews.

Where to buy