Yongnuo EF YN50mm F1.8C Review

The Yongnuo YN50mm F1.8C is a budget 50mm prime lens for Canon DSLRs. It's very cheap and includes stabilization, but the optical quality is poor. It's a decent learning tool for beginners on a tight budget, but most people should opt for the sharper Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM instead.

If you're a Canon shooter looking for a dirt-cheap 50mm prime lens, the Yongnuo YN50mm F1.8C is probably on your radar. It's Yongnuo's first stab at a prime lens, and it's designed as an upgrade from the basic 18-55mm kit lens you might already have. This little lens promises faster apertures for low light and better sharpness, all while keeping things simple with autofocus and a lightweight 120g body. It's a classic 'nifty fifty' for Canon EF mount cameras like the 5D, 7D, and various Rebel models, and people are searching for it because it's one of the most affordable ways to get into prime lens photography.

Let's talk about what this lens actually does. The f/1.8 aperture is solid, sitting in the 76th percentile, which means it's a decently fast lens that lets in plenty of light. That's good for indoor shots or portraits where you want to isolate your subject. The bokeh, or background blur, is about average according to our scoring, landing in the 69th percentile. It'll give you that soft, out-of-focus background, but it's not the prettiest or most creamy you'll find. The real standout here is the stabilization, which is surprisingly good at the 88th percentile. That's a big help for keeping shots steady, especially if your camera body doesn't have built-in stabilization. Now, the weak spot is the optics. It's in the 3rd percentile, which is one of the worst we've seen. In practice, that means images can be soft, especially away from the center, and you might see some chromatic aberration or other optical flaws. The autofocus is also middle of the pack, so it's not the fastest or most accurate system, but it gets the job done for casual use.

The value proposition here is all about the price. This lens can be found for as low as $82, though we've seen wild listings up to nearly $20,000 (ignore those, the real price is under $100). For that money, you get a stabilized, autofocus 50mm prime. That's a unique combo at this price. The obvious alternative is the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM, which usually costs a bit more but has much better optics and autofocus. If you don't need stabilization and can spend a little extra, the Canon is the better buy. But if your budget is absolutely rock-bottom and you want stabilization, the Yongnuo has a niche.

Compared to the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM, the Yongnuo trades optical quality for stabilization and a lower price. The Canon lens is sharper, has better autofocus, and generally feels more polished. The Yongnuo's stabilization is handy, but its soft images are a real trade-off. Looking at other budget primes like the Meike 55mm F1.4 or the Viltrox 35mm F1.7, those are for different mounts (like APS-C mirrorless) and often offer better optics, but they're also more expensive. The Yongnuo is really competing with the old Canon 50mm f/1.8 II, and it wins by adding stabilization, but loses in overall image quality.

Skip this lens if you care about image sharpness and quality. Landscape photographers, anyone shooting detailed product photos, or people who want crisp portraits will be disappointed. Also skip it if you don't need stabilization, since the Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM is a better lens for a similar price. If you're a professional or even a serious enthusiast, this lens isn't for you. Look at the Canon option or consider a higher-end prime from Sigma or Tamron.

Should you buy this? It's a tough call. If you're a total beginner with a Canon DSLR and your budget is under $100, this lens lets you play with a fast prime and stabilization. You'll learn about depth of field and low-light shooting without breaking the bank. But you have to accept that the image quality won't be great. If you're more serious about your photos, or if you can afford to spend $130-$150, skip this and get the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM. The better optics are worth the extra money. The Yongnuo is a compromise lens, and it makes sense only if price is your absolute top priority.