Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM § 03 Head to head
Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM vs Meike 50 mm f/1.7
Canon 50mm f/1.8 is 150 g lighter. Meike 50mm f/1.7 is 0.2 stops brighter maximum aperture.
The Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a 50mm f/1.8 prime, and the Meike 50 mm f/1.7 is a 50mm f/1.7 prime. On paper the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM 
Meike 50 mm f/1.7 01
Key differences
Why is the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM better than the Meike 50 mm f/1.7?
- 150 g lighter (160 g vs 310 g)
- 14 mm shorter (40.5 mm vs 54.5 mm long)
- Focuses 20 cm closer (0.3 m vs 0.5 m)
- Smaller filter thread (43 mm vs 52 mm)
- Newer design (2020 vs 2018)
Why is the Meike 50 mm f/1.7 better than the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM?
- 0.2 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/1.7 vs f/1.8)
- Has a physical aperture ring
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Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Meike 50 mm f/1.7 has the edge: its f/1.7 aperture gathers more light than f/1.8.
- low-light For low-light shooting, the Meike 50 mm f/1.7 has the edge: its f/1.7 aperture gathers more light than f/1.8.
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Specification
| Specification | Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM | Meike 50 mm f/1.7 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 50mm | 50mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.7 ◆ |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Standard prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full Frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 160 g (5.64 oz) ◆ | 310 g (10.93 oz) |
| Dimensions | 69.2 mm (diameter) x 40.5 mm (length) | 61 x 54.5 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.3 m (11.81 in) ◆ | 0.5 m (19.69 inches) |
| Maximum magnification | 0.25x | — |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | No | — |
| Aperture ring | No | Yes |
| Aperture blades | 7 (circular) | — |
| Optical construction | 6 elements in 5 groups | 6 elements / 5 groups |
| Filter size | 43 mm ◆ | 52 mm |
| Lens mount | Canon RF | Sony E, Nikon 1, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm X, Canon EF-M |
| Released | 2020 | 2018 |
| Price | — | $129.99 list price |
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Size
- A · Canon
- B · Meike
- 40.5 × 69.2 mm
- 54.5 × 61 mm
The Meike 50 mm f/1.7 is 14 mm longer and 150 g heavier than the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM.
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Sample frames
Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM
Meike 50 mm f/1.7
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM or the Meike 50 mm f/1.7?
- The Meike 50 mm f/1.7 opens to f/1.7, against f/1.8 on the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM, 0.2 stops brighter.
- Which is lighter, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM or the Meike 50 mm f/1.7?
- The Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM weighs 160 g, 150 g less than the Meike 50 mm f/1.7 (310 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM or the Meike 50 mm f/1.7?
- The Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM focuses down to 0.3 m, against 0.5 m for the Meike 50 mm f/1.7.
- Do the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM and the Meike 50 mm f/1.7 have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM or the Meike 50 mm f/1.7 better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Meike 50 mm f/1.7 has the edge: its f/1.7 aperture gathers more light than f/1.8.
- Is the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM or the Meike 50 mm f/1.7 better for low-light shooting?
- For low-light shooting, the Meike 50 mm f/1.7 has the edge: its f/1.7 aperture gathers more light than f/1.8.
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