And the 50 STM is generally better; at f1.8 the two are comparable in the centre (but 45 has worse purple fringing), in midframe 45 is clear winner, but in the corners it falls apart way worse then the 50
From the brief experience I had with the 45, I'd say the RF 50 1.8 is always sharper. Wide open, I think the 45 has more contrast in the corners, but still lower sharpness in the entire frame, while the 50 1.8 has a nice level of sharpness but very low contrast in the corners.
Stopping down both lenses, the 50 wipes the floor with the 45, in terms of resolution. By f/2.8 to f/4, the 50 is brilliant.
The thing is, I already have f/2 in the zoom lens, so the 1.8 primes don't really offer me anything, I mean, it's not attractive swapping lenses from f/2 to f/1.8, even if on my second camera. I need something at least one full f-stop faster. Usually, I don't even carry the 1.8 primes, only the 35 goes to weddings, to photograph the wedding rings but, for every other assignment, I go with the 28-70 f/2 attached to the R6, next to the RP without lens, and then the RF 70-200 2.8 and 16mm 2.8.
I just want something for when f/2 is not enough and flash is not an option. Sometimes, that happens.
If I need bright apertures I already have the sharpest std lens on the market
You know I've met it as well...

but I also need something that can go in the shoulder bag without being a burden.
At ~350g, this 45 is a feather.
The 40 Art is heavier than my 70-200
I'm somewhat torn between this and one of the VCMs (most likely, the 50), knowing such lens wouldn't be used often, which makes it somewhat unreasonable investing over €1k, but makes this one slightly attractive.