Cameraegg Compare logoCameraegg
RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

Canon

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

Canon RF Mount

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM — 18–150mm f/3.5-6.3 for Canon RF, a popular choice in the canon lineup.

$329

Launch price

Released May 2022

vs

Sony

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

Sony E Mount

Exquisite resolution and dreamy bokeh combine in a masterful f/1.2 prime.

$1,999

Launch price

Released Mar 2021

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM is 1.2 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

6categories

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

TravelMacro & Close-up

Wins

2categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM wins 3 categories·FE 50mm F1.2 GM wins 2 categories
  • ARF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM has higher OIS effectiveness (4.5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/6.3)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/3.5)
  • ARF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM has higher Max magnification (0.44 × vs 0.17 ×)
  • ARF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM has lower Weight (310 g vs 778 g)

Key specs at a glance

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STMFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal Length18-150 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/3.5-6.3f/1.2
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageAPS-CFull Frame
Stabilization4.5 stopsNo
Weight310 g778 g
Min Focus17 cm40 cm
Filter Size55 mm72 mm

Size and weight, to scale

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM shown to scale

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

69 × 84 mm

310 g (0.68 lb / 10.93 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 F1.2 GM

87 × 108 mm

778 g (1.72 lb / 27.44 oz)

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM is 24mm shorter and 18mm narrower than FE 50mm F1.2 GM.

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM is 468 g lighter than FE 50mm F1.2 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-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STMFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Portrait
4.0Fair
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
4.0Fair
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
4.5Fair
Landscape
5.0Fair
3.0Limited
Travel
7.0Good
2.0Limited
Wildlife
2.5Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
6.0Good
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 UD, 1 PMo

  • OIS effectiveness

    4.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Weight

    310 g vs 778 g — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    17 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM supports it

  • Max magnification

    0.44 × vs 0.17 × — higher is better

  • Length

    83.8 mm vs 108 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    68.6 mm vs 87 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.2 GM

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 XA (extreme aspherical)

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/6.3 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/3.5 — lower is better

  • Weather sealing

    Only FE 50mm F1.2 GM supports it

  • Control ring

    Only FE 50mm F1.2 GM supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 50mm F1.2 GM supports it

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

Pros

  • Outstanding sharpness wide open at f/1.2
  • Stunningly smooth, circular bokeh with 11 aperture blades
  • Extremely quiet and fast autofocus tracking
  • Manageable size and weight for an f/1.2 lens

Cons

  • Expensive investment for a single focal length
  • Heavy compared to standard f/1.8 options
  • Some visible vignetting wide open

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM and FE 50mm F1.2 GM at major authorized retailers.

Canon RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM

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

RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal length (Min)
18 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
150 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/3.5
f/1.2+3.1 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/6.3
f/1.2+4.8 stops wider
Elements
17
14
Groups
13
10
Special elements
1 UD, 1 PMo
3 XA (extreme aspherical)
RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Min focus distance
17 cm−23 cm less
40 cm
Max magnification
0.44 ×2.6× more
0.17 ×
Autofocus motor
STM
XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
4.5 stops
0 stops
RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Weight
310 g−468 g less
778 g
Length
83.8 mm−24 mm less
108 mm
Diameter
68.6 mm−18 mm less
87 mm
Filter thread size
55 mm
72 mm
Weather sealing
No
Yes
Diaphragm blades
7
11
RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Lens mount
Canon RF
Sony E
Format coverage
APS-C
Full Frame

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