This decade-old DSLR lens is outselling almost every modern lens in Japan as it's an "affordable marvel that any Canon photographer should own"

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM camera lens with autofocus/manual focus switch, placed on a light reflective surface.

With camera manufacturers now focused on mirrorless systems, it would be easy to assume DSLR lenses have faded into history. Japan's latest sales figures suggest otherwise. According to Japanese retailer Kitamura, a 11-year-old Canon DSLR lens climbed to No.2 in its best-selling lens chart for June 2026 – outperforming almost every modern mirrorless lens on the list.

The lens in question is the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM. The only optic ahead of it is the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary for Canon RF mount – the company's first RF lens. The zoom is also available for Sony E, L-mount and Fujifilm X-mount.