OMG I am literally in the same boat right now! Just picked up my R50 and I am totally obsessed but choosing lenses is giving me such analysis paralysis lol. It is a real struggle trying to find glass that does not make the whole thing feel totally lopsided since the body is so tiny and light. Like someone mentioned, adapting stuff is an option but honestly? If you want 100% reliability and speed, stay native. My quick tip is to check out the Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM because it is absolutely amazing for keeping things lightweight and the autofocus is just instant. I also grabbed the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM and I love it so much for those blurry backgrounds! Seriously, sticking to the native RF mount lenses has saved me so much frustration with focus hunting compared to my old gear.

Below are my top recommendations based on its capabilities and compatibility :

1.RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM (Kit Lens)
Ideal for beginners, this lightweight zoom lens covers wide-angle to standard focal lengths (29–72mm full-frame equivalent). Its Optical Image Stabilization (IS) and STM motor suit vlogging and everyday shooting, aligning with the R50’s portability .

2. RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM
A versatile superzoom for travel and hybrid use. It offers a 29–240mm equivalent range, combining wide-angle and telephoto capabilities. The STM motor ensures smooth autofocus during video, complementing the R50’s 6K-sampled 4K video feature .

3. RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM
A prime lens perfect for low-light photography, portraits, and macro shots. The f/1.8 aperture creates natural bokeh, while its 56mm equivalent focal length works well for street and environmental portraits. Its IS supports handheld shooting in dim conditions .

4. RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM
For wildlife or sports, this telephoto zoom leverages the R50’s 15 fps burst and advanced subject tracking . Despite its compact design, it provides a 160–640mm equivalent reach, ideal for distant subjects.

Vlogging Considerations: The compact RF 24mm f/1.8 (38mm equivalent) or RF 16mm f/2.8 (26mm equivalent) are great for selfie-style videos, pairing with the R50’s flip screen and 4K capabilities .

In summary, prioritize RF-S lenses for portability or explore RF primes and telezooms for specialized needs. Adapting EF lenses is also cost-effective for expanding your kit. For more details, check Canon’s official specs or retailer bundles .

Get some Sigma RF-S lenses. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=sigma+rf-s+lens&BI=8941&KBID=10361&SID=12345&DFF=d50

In my experience, the most cost-effective way to build a kit for the R50 is to look at older glass that can be adapted. I have tried many combinations over the years and it is usually the best path for someone who wants to save money while getting good results.

• look into getting a mount adapter to use older DSLR lenses
• prioritize fast primes if you want that professional blurry background
• buy used whenever possible to stretch your budget further I am not 100% sure but I think some of the older third-party lenses might have autofocus issues on the newer mirrorless bodies. IIRC someone told me that certain lenses wont hit the maximum burst rates either. It is probably worth checking some compatibility forums before you spend any money tho.