The Buyers guide to...Best 50mm lenses

The RF 50mm F1.8 STM has been completely redesigned since the EF 50mm f/1.8 and has a higher optical standard. The new construction features PMo aspherical lenses for improved image quality and Super Spectra Coating technology, for reduced ghosting, flare, and aberration.

It uses an STM focusing motor, which helps to keep the price down, and although quiet it will be audible when used during video shots using the camera’s on-board mic.

A popular focal length, the RF 50mm F1.8 STM captures an angle of view close to our eyes, while the large aperture enables lenty of control over depth of field.

The RF 50mm F1.8 STM has a minimum focusing distance of 0.3m, which is 5cm shorter than the current EF 50mm f/1.8.

Read our Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM announced: specs, price confirmed

The Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S (aka the Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S) is constructed from 12 elements in 9 groups. This includes 2 ED elements and 2 aspherical along with elements that have Nikon’s Nano Crystal Coating.

Perhaps not surprising given the size of the Z mount, the Z 50mm f/1.8 S is larger than then average 50mm lens. It measures 86.5 mm from the camera lens mount flange and has a maximum diameter of 76mm. However, it accepts 62mm filters.

Although it’s quite a large lens for its focal length, the Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S seems quite at home on the Z 7 and Z 6. It has weather-sealing to match the camera and it feels well-balanced with the large grip on the camera.

The large maximum aperture also helps the camera’s autofocus system and it gets most subjects sharp very quickly. That makes the manual focus ring largely redundant and perfect for adjusting exposure compensation (or aperture if you prefer).

The best results overall are produced within an aperture range of around f/4 to f/11, but actually, the full range produces superb results. Details look super-sharp and there’s no need to worry about distortion, chromatic aberration or flare.

You can find the Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Read our Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S Review

The Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S is the first f/1.2 prime lens in Nikon’s Z range, and while it doesn’t come cheap, it walks the walk. This bright, full-frame lens redefines the ‘nifty fifty’ with a fast aperture that makes it viable in extreme low-light conditions and offers photographers complete control over depth of field.

Inside its optical construction comprises 17 elements in 15 groups, of which two are ED glass elements and three are aspherical elements. Nikon has also added its anti-reflective Nano Crystal Coat and ARNEO coatings to help combat ghosting and flare. Nikon has also weather-sealed the lens barrel and mount.

Yes, it’s large. Larger than Nikon’s Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8, in fact, but it delivers incredible sharpness.

You can find the Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Read our Nikon Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S Review

Sony’s bargain FE 50mm F1.8 weighs only 186g and is extremely portable. Its large f/1.8 aperture and seven-blade circular aperture allow you to create beautiful background bokeh that make your subjects really stand out.

Inside, a DC motor drive helps the lens focus quickly and precisely. That combined with the fast aperture enables the FE 50mm F1.8 to perform superbly in low light.

Images are sharp throughout. The lens’s aspherical element helps minimise distortion, and the metal mount provides a reassuring build quality.

The Sony FE 50mm F1.8 is a solid all-rounder and perfect for shooting environmental portraiture.

You can buy the Sony FE 50mm F1.8 at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Read our Best Sony A7 III Accessories

Designed for Sony’s full-frame mirrorless cameras, the FE 50mm f/1.2 GM is a first-rate lens that’s designed to get the most out of a high-resolution full-frame sensor such as the one found in the Sony A7 R IV.

With a maximum aperture of f/1.2, it enables very limited depth of field for selective focus images and fast shutter speeds with low ISO settings in poor lighting, making it attractive for portraits and wedding photography or video.

The 11-blade circular aperture is newly designed for smooth bokeh while the optical construction is fine-tuned to minimise spherical aberration.

For high detail resolution across the frame even at f/1.2, the FE 50mm F1.2 GM has three XA (extreme aspherical) elements. Sony’s Nano AR Coating II has also been applied to minimize internal reflections so that flare and ghosting are kept at bay.

Four XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors enable fast focusing and tracking for stills or 4K video with human Eye AF. In addition, the lens’s floating focus mechanism, which is controlled by a dedicated lens drive algorithm, ensures high resolution across the focus range.

The closest focusing distance is 40cm.

Designed for professional use with ease of control, the FE 50mm F1.2 GM has a Linear Response MF (Manual Focus) system, an aperture ring with a click on/off switch plus a focus mode switch and two customisable focus hold buttons.

Happily, for those who don’t mind shooting in bad weather, it’s sealed against dust and moisture. Its also has a fluorine coating on the front element to protect it from fingerprints, dust, water and oil.

The FE 50mm F1.2 GM is available to order from Wex Photo Video in the UK and B&H Photo Video and Adorama in the USA.

Read our Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM Review

Panasonic’s LUMIX G 42.5mm f/1.7 Asph. Power OIS is a small, lightweight (just 130g) lens that fits in your pocket yet packs a powerful punch. Its fast f/1.7 aperture means you have plenty of control over shallow depth of field effects, making it ideal for portraiture.

It also boasts Optical Image Stablization built-in to the lens, which you can enable via a switch on the lens barrel. This compensates for camera movements and helps you achieve sharper images in low light. In use, the lens incredibly sharp from its maximum aperture, and distortion and fringing are also well controlled.

What’s more, this lens won’t break the bank. At just over £300 / $300, it’s an absolute bargain.

You can buy the Panasonic LUMIX G 42.5mm f/1.7 Asph. Power OIS at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Read our Panasonic DFD Focusing Explained

Another 90mm equivalent in Olympus’s M.Zuiko range, the 45mm f/1.8 is very modestly priced and offers a large aperture that provides very pleasing bokeh effects in your portraits.

An MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) mechanism delivers fast and smooth AF performance that is silent and accurate. To achieve this, Olympus developed a metallic shaft and feed screw to move the focusing lens, rather than a gear, which is typically the cause of focusing noise.

Combine all this with its ultra-lightweight design and small dimensions, and it’s the ideal budget portrait lens to keep in your kit bag.

You can buy the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm f/1.8 at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Read our Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS Review

The 90mm equivalent M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f/1.2 PRO is a medium telephoto lens aimed at professionals and again Olympus has placed the lens elements to allow for a more lightweight design and keep aberrations at bay.

The M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO has a closest focusing distance of 50cm and a maximum image magnification of 0.1x.

Design-wise, Olympus has placed the focusing ring at the front of the lens to make focusing easier. And an MF Clutch mechanism allows photographers to instantly switch between auto and manual focusing mode by pulling the focusing ring towards them.

You can buy the Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm F1.2 PRO at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Read our Olympus launches 17mm, 45mm f/1.2 PRO lenses

Panasonic’s Lumix S 50mm F1.8 lens has the L mount which means it’s designed for use on the company’s full-frame S series cameras such as the Lumix S1, Lumix S1R and Lumix S5. It’s a significantly smaller, lighter and more affordable alternative to the Panasonic Lumix S Pro 50mm f/1.4.

The Lumix S 50mm F1.8 is comprised of nine elements in eight groups including 3 aspherical elements, 1 ED (extra-low dispersion) element and 1 UHR (ultra-high refractive index) element. There’s also a 9-blade iris to deliver attractive bokeh.

At 300g (excluding the caps and lens hood) and 82mm in length, the Lumix S 50mm F1.8 lens matches well with Panasonic’s full-frame cameras. It’s also sealed to make it dust- and splash-resistant and can operate at temperatures down to -10C or up to 40°C.

At £429, the Lumix S 50mm f/1.8 is attractively priced and well-suited to a wide range of photographic subjects including portraits, landscapes and street.

Read our Panasonic Lumix S 50mm F1.8 Review