Canon
RF 50mm F1.8 STM
Canon RF Mount
The affordable nifty fifty for RF — compact, sharp, and perfect for beginners exploring prime lenses.
$199
Launch priceReleased Nov 2020
Canon
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
Canon RF Mount
An incredibly compact, extending telephoto zoom with L-series optics and 5 stops of stabilization.
$2,799
Launch priceReleased Oct 2019
RF 50mm F1.8 STM is 1.1 years newer.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.
Wins
RF 50mm F1.8 STM
Wins
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
TL;DR — Key differences
- BRF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
- ARF 50mm F1.8 STM has lower Weight (160 g vs 1070 g)
- ARF 50mm F1.8 STM has lower Length (41 mm vs 146 mm)
- ARF 50mm F1.8 STM has lower Min focus distance (30 cm vs 70 cm)
- ARF 50mm F1.8 STM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.8 vs f/2.8)
Key specs at a glance
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose the RF 50mm F1.8 STM
- ✓
Weight
160 g vs 1070 g — lower is better
- ✓
Length
41 mm vs 146 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Min focus distance
30 cm vs 70 cm — lower is better
- ✓
Internal focus
Only RF 50mm F1.8 STM supports it
- ✓
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.8 vs f/2.8 — lower is better
- ✓
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.8 vs f/2.8 — lower is better
- ✓
Diameter
70 mm vs 90 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Max magnification
0.25 × vs 0.23 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
- ✓
Special elements
Adds 1 Super UD, 1 UD, 2 Aspherical
- ✓
OIS effectiveness
5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
- ✓
Optical stabilization
Only RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM supports it
- ✓
Weather sealing
Only RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM supports it
Shared specifications
Control ring
Both support control ring
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
RF 50mm F1.8 STM
Pros
- ✓Incredible value at under $200
- ✓Very compact and lightweight (only 160g)
- ✓Sharp enough for most everyday photography
- ✓Silent STM motor ideal for video
Cons
- –Plastic build feels basic
- –No weather sealing
- –Narrow maximum aperture vs L-series primes
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
Pros
- ✓Unbelievably compact storage size thanks to extending barrel
- ✓Very lightweight design (only 1070g)
- ✓Excellent center sharpness at all focal lengths
- ✓Dual Nano USM focus motors offer fast, silent AF
- ✓Exceptional 5-stop optical image stabilization
Cons
- –Extending barrel can draw in dust/moisture over time
- –Not compatible with RF teleconverters (due to rear element position)
- –Vignetting is quite heavy wide open
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the RF 50mm F1.8 STM and RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM at major authorized retailers.
Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.