Should I buy the Canon RF 35mm or RF 50mm for family photos?

Both the Canon RF 35mm and RF 50mm are strong choices for family photos, but the better pick depends on how you like to shoot and where you usually shoot. One extra note: the RF 35mm is generally regarded as having slightly better overall image quality than the RF 50mm, though both can produce excellent results for family work.

Choose the Canon RF 35mm if you want more environmental, storytelling-style photos and often shoot indoors. The wider field of view makes it easier to fit people into the frame in tight spaces like living rooms, bedrooms, or busy family outings. It’s usually the more practical all-rounder for everyday family life because it includes more of the scene.

Choose the Canon RF 50mm if you prefer more traditional, tightly framed portraits with a natural-looking perspective. It’s a classic portrait focal length and is also a very budget-friendly fast prime, so it’s a great starter lens if you want to keep costs down.

If you want the most versatility for indoor family photos, the 35mm is usually the better choice. If you want classic portraits and a lower-cost option, the 50mm makes more sense.

If you’re using an APS-C body like an EOS R7 or R10, keep in mind the crop factor: the 35mm will behave more like a 50mm, and the 50mm will behave more like an 80mm.