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Canon

RF 28mm F2.8 STM

Canon RF Mount

World's smallest RF lens — 120g pancake with STM AF and 0.23m close focus.

$299

Launch price

Released May 2023

vs

Sony

FE 50mm F1.4 GM

Sony E Mount

FE 50mm F1.4 GM — 50mm f/1.4 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$1,799

Launch price

Released Mar 2025

FE 50mm F1.4 GM is 1.8 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

RF 28mm F2.8 STM

TravelSports & Action

Wins

2categories

FE 50mm F1.4 GM

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 28mm F2.8 STM wins 3 categories·FE 50mm F1.4 GM wins 2 categories
  • ARF 28mm F2.8 STM has lower Length (24.7 mm vs 131 mm)
  • ARF 28mm F2.8 STM has lower Weight (120 g vs 580 g)
  • BFE 50mm F1.4 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.4 vs f/2.8)
  • BFE 50mm F1.4 GM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.4 vs f/2.8)
  • ARF 28mm F2.8 STM has lower Min focus distance (23 cm vs 30 cm)

Key specs at a glance

RF 28mm F2.8 STMFE 50mm F1.4 GM
Focal Length28 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.4
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight120 g580 g
Min Focus23 cm30 cm
Filter Size55 mm77 mm

Size and weight, to scale

RF 28mm F2.8 STM

69 × 25 mm

120 g (0.26 lb / 4.23 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

FE 50mm F1.4 GM

81 × 131 mm

580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)

RF 28mm F2.8 STM is 106mm shorter and 12mm narrower than FE 50mm F1.4 GM.

RF 28mm F2.8 STM is 460 g lighter than FE 50mm F1.4 GM.

Diameter (⌀) is the maximum barrel width; length is measured from the mount to the front of the lens.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseRF 28mm F2.8 STMFE 50mm F1.4 GM
Portrait
3.0Limited
8.5Excellent
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
2.0Limited
4.5Fair
Landscape
1.0Limited
4.0Fair
Travel
7.0Good
3.5Limited
Wildlife
0.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
1.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the RF 28mm F2.8 STM

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 PMo

  • Length

    24.7 mm vs 131 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    120 g vs 580 g — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    23 cm vs 30 cm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    69.2 mm vs 81 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.17 × vs 0.15 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.4 GM

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical, ED

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.4 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.4 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Weather sealing

    Only FE 50mm F1.4 GM supports it

  • Control ring

    Only FE 50mm F1.4 GM supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 50mm F1.4 GM supports it

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

RF 28mm F2.8 STM

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day
  • Native Canon RF mount compatibility

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

FE 50mm F1.4 GM

Pros

  • Bright f/1.4 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 28mm F2.8 STM and FE 50mm F1.4 GM at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 28mm F2.8 STM
FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Focal length (Min)
28 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
28 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/1.4+2 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/1.4+2 stops wider
Elements
8
14
Groups
6
11
Special elements
3 PMo
Aspherical, ED
RF 28mm F2.8 STM
FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Min focus distance
23 cm−7 cm less
30 cm
Max magnification
0.17 ×+13%
0.15 ×
Autofocus motor
STM
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 28mm F2.8 STM
FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
RF 28mm F2.8 STM
FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Weight
120 g−460 g less
580 g
Length
24.7 mm−106 mm less
131 mm
Diameter
69.2 mm−12 mm less
81 mm
Filter thread size
55 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
No
Yes
Diaphragm blades
7
11
RF 28mm F2.8 STM
FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Lens mount
Canon RF
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.