Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM vs Tamron SP 45mm F/1.8 Di VC USD
Every published spec side by side, with today's lowest prices for the market you've chosen.
Key differences
- Aperture blades: 9 on the SP 45mm F/1.8 Di VC USD, against 7 on the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM.
- Closest focus: 0.29 m on the SP 45mm F/1.8 Di VC USD, against 0.35 m on the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM.
- Max magnification: 0.29× on the SP 45mm F/1.8 Di VC USD, against 0.21× on the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM.
- Optical stabilisation: Yes on the SP 45mm F/1.8 Di VC USD, against No on the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM.
- Weather sealed: Yes on the SP 45mm F/1.8 Di VC USD, against No on the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM.
- Weight: 160 g on the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM, against 540 g on the SP 45mm F/1.8 Di VC USD.
EF 50mm f/1.8 STM or SP 45mm F/1.8 Di VC USD: which should you buy?
Choose the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM for its weight.
Choose the SP 45mm F/1.8 Di VC USD for its aperture blades, closest focus, max magnification and optical stabilisation. It leads on 5 specs in all.
On paper the SP 45mm F/1.8 Di VC USD wins more rows (5 to 1); if the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM's strengths are the ones you shoot with, and its price is lower where you buy, it can still be the better buy.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest price today | Not priced in US yet | $560 new $239 used |
| Optics | ||
| Focal length | 50mm | 45mm |
| 35mm equivalent | 50mm (full frame) | 45mm (full frame) |
| Maximum apertureLower f-number lets in more light. A zoom wins only when it is as bright at both ends. | f/1.8 | f/1.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Made for | Full frame | Full frame |
| Elements / groups | 6 / 5 | 10 / 8 |
| Aperture blades | 7 | 9 (best) |
| Closest focus | 0.35 m | 0.29 m (best) |
| Max magnification | 0.21× | 0.29× (best) |
| Focus & handling | ||
| Autofocus | Yes (STM) | Yes (USD) |
| Optical stabilisation | No | Yes (best) |
| Weather sealed | No | Yes (best) |
| Internal zoom | — | — |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Teleconverter compatible | No | No |
| Size & weight | ||
| Weight | 160 g (best) | 540 g |
| Diameter × length | 69.2 × 39.3 mm | 80.4 × 91.7 mm |
| Filter thread | 49 mm | 67 mm |
Green marks the better figure where “better” is unambiguous. A dash means the maker doesn't publish it or we haven't verified it yet.