Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STMvs A7 IV
Canon
Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM (2020)
From £219
Best for Portraits, street & everyday
View Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM
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Which should you buy?
Portraits, Street & Everyday — Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM (2020): The essential first prime for Canon RF shooters — f/1.8 background separation at an accessible price with near-silent STM autofocus.
Portrait & Wedding Photography — A7 IV (2021): The full-frame portrait benchmark — 33MP, AI Eye AF, and exceptional skin-tone rendering in a pro-grade hybrid body.
Who should buy what
A7 IV (2021)
- You want a high-resolution full-frame all-rounder for portraits, weddings, or travel
- You're stepping up from APS-C or a DSLR and want the best all-round full-frame body under £3,000
- You shoot a mix of stills and video and need a single body that handles both seriously
- You want access to the widest lens ecosystem in the mirrorless market
Quick take: The canon rf 50mm f/1.8 stm is the most affordable; only the a7 iv is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM (2020) | A7 IV (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £219 | £2,299 |
| Sensor | f/1.8 (max aperture) | 33MP Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | — | 33.0MP |
| Video | 30cm minimum focus distance | 4K/60p oversampled, 10-bit internal, S-Log3, S-Cinetone |
| Autofocus | STM (Stepping Motor) — near-silent, smooth for video | 759-point phase-detect, AI subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | None (relies on in-body IBIS) | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | — | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronic |
| Battery Life | — | ~580 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 160g | 659g body only |
| Dimensions | 69.2 × 40.5mm | 131.3 × 96.4 × 79.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | — | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | — | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen |
| Mount | Canon RF | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | — | Dual slots: CFexpress Type A + SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | — | USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
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