Canon EF 75-300mm f-5.6 III
Score: 58/100
Canon EF 50mm f.8 STM
Score: 77/100Rankings
The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a compact, fast prime lens delivering excellent low-light performance and quiet autofocus. Its trade-offs include softness at the widest aperture, a plasticky body, and no weather sealing. Ideal for beginners, portrait shooters, and video creators seeking a lightweight, affordable fast lens.
The Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III is a lightweight, budget-friendly telephoto zoom offering solid reach. Its trade-offs include a sluggish micro-motor AF, lack of stabilization, and softer optics at the long end. Best suited for beginners and casual shooters needing portable telephoto capability.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
— | 50 mmbest | |
— | 1.8best | |
| ↓ lower better | 1.5 m | 0.35 mbest |
| ↓ lower better | 480 g | 159 gbest |
4best | — | |
7best | 7best | |
0.3best | 0.2 | |
13best | 6 |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Compatibility(1) | ||
Mount Compatibility | Full-Frame | Full-Frame, APS-C |
Features(1) | ||
Autofocus Type | Micro motor | STM |
Optics(6) | ||
Focal Length (mm) | 75-300 mm | 50 mm |
Maximum Aperture (f‑stop) | 4-5.6 | 1.8 |
Minimum Focus Distance (m) | 1.5 m | 0.35 m |
Macro Ratio | 0.25 | 0.21 |
Number of Optical Elements | 13 | 6 |
Number of Optical Groups | 9 | 5 |
Build & Design(4) | ||
Filter Thread Size (mm) | 58 mm | 49 mm |
Weight (g) | 480 g | 159 g |
Length (mm) | 122 mm | 39.3 mm |
Maximum Diameter (mm) | 71 mm | 69.2 mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers describe the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III as Canon's basic, budget-friendly long zoom. They commend its ultra-light weight and compact form factor, but repeatedly note the sluggish micro-motor autofocus, modest build quality, and average optical performance, especially the softness and reduced contrast at the 300 mm end.
Everyday users love the lens for its portability and inexpensive telephoto reach, often mentioning how easy it is to pack for travel and wildlife outings. However, they commonly complain about the slow, noisy autofocus, the absence of stabilization, plastic feel, and noticeable softness at the long end, which detracts from image quality in low-light or high-magnification scenarios.
Professional reviewers describe the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM as a surprisingly capable "nifty fifty" that delivers excellent color balance, sharpness when stopped down, and a quiet STM motor that makes it video-friendly. They note the upgraded metal mount and Super Spectra coatings improve durability and reduce flare, though they acknowledge persistent softness at f/1.8 and the absence of weather sealing.
Everyday users love the lens for its pocketable weight, sharp portrait and low-light results, and value as an entry-level prime. Common complaints focus on softness and vignetting at the widest aperture, the plasticky feel of the body, lack of weather sealing, and occasional AF noise in very quiet video recordings.
