Canon EF 100mm F/2 USM vs Canon EF 50mm F/1.2L USM — Which Is Better?
Side by side37 specifications |
Canon · f/2 · Canon EF mount
Canon EF 100mm F/2 USM
51
SCORE
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Canon · f/1.2 · Canon EF mount
Canon EF 50mm F/1.2L USM
71
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EF 100mm F/2 USM and the Canon EF 50mm F/1.2L USM are both full-frame primes for the Canon EF mount, so either fits the same EOS bodies. The 100mm arrived in 1991 as a compact short telephoto, while the 50mm F/1.2L followed in 2007 as an L-series standard prime. Both provide autofocus along with a manual focusing ring. | ||
| Release Year | 1991 | 2007 |
Production Status ⓘCurrent status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued). |
 Discontinued |  In Production |
Pro Branding ⓘSpecific branding codes used for professional-tier lenses. |
N/A | L |
Lens Mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF | Canon EF |
System ⓘIndicates which camera system the lens is designed to attach to. |
Canon EOS | Canon EOS |
Maximum Format ⓘLargest sensor size compatible with the lens. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
| Physical | 43/100 | 100/100 |
Read the Physical ComparisonPhysicalCarrying weight favours the 100mm F/2, which weighs 460 g against 580 g for the 50mm F/1.2L, a 120 g saving for a lighter kit bag. It is also the slimmer lens at 75 mm wide versus 86 mm, while the 50mm is the shorter of the two at 66 mm against 74 mm. Both accept front filters, though the 100mm takes 58 mm threads and the 50mm takes 72 mm. | ||
| Lens Weight | 460 g | 580 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
75 mm | 86 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
74 mm | 66 mm |
Front Filter Compatible ⓘSome lenses are compatible with front filters, some are compatible with back filters and some are compatible with both. Front filters are usually more convenient to add and remove. |
 Yes | Yes |
Front Filter Size ⓘDiameter of attachable filters. |
58 mm | 72 mm |
| Optics | 80/100 | 86/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 100mm tightens portrait framing without moving closer, while the 50mm serves the standard field of view for everyday scenes. The 50mm's f/1.2 maximum aperture is the one to choose for very dim light and extremely shallow depth of field, opening wider than the 100mm's f/2. For close work the 50mm focuses to 45 cm, half the 100mm's 90 cm minimum. Maximum magnification is nearly the same on the two lenses, about 0.15x on the 50mm against 0.14x on the 100mm, so neither is the pick for macro-style detail. Their 8-blade automatic diaphragms are a shared specification as well. | ||
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) |
100 mm | 50 mm |
Aperture Range ⓘLargest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end) |
2 | 1.2 |
| Focal Length Angle of View | 24.415582858783463° | 46.8° |
Flange Focal Distance ⓘDistance from lens mount to sensor. |
44 mm | 44 mm |
Diaphragm Type ⓘStructure and design of the aperture |
 Automatic | Automatic |
Blades ⓘNumber of diaphragm blades in aperture |
8020 | 8020 |
Zoom Lens ⓘZoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups |
✗ | ✗ |
Closest Focusing Distance ⓘMinimum distance for a subject to be in focus. |
90 cm01500 | 45 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced |
0.14x | 0.15x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | Unscored | 32/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe 50mm F/1.2L has weather sealing, making it the one to mount for outdoor portrait sessions in rain or dust; the 100mm F/2 has none. Stabilization is a shared absence, so neither lens supplies its own correction for camera shake. Neither lens offers a fluorine coating or teleconverter compatibility. | ||
Weather Sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
No |  Yes |
Fluorine Coating ⓘCoating to repel water and oil from lens elements. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Built In Lens Hood | ✗ | ✗ |
| Lens Hood Type |  Round | Round |
Teleconverter ⓘA teleconverter (extender) is an extra piece of equipment that fits between the lens and the camera body to enhance magnification |
✗ | ✗ |
| Image Stabilization | ✗ | ✗ |
| Construction | 23/100 | 15/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionThe 50mm F/1.2L includes one aspherical element in its 8-element, 6-group design. The 100mm F/2 also has eight elements in six groups, with no aspherical elements. It focuses internally, so the barrel does not extend as focus changes, while the 50mm does not focus internally. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
8 | 8 |
| Groups | 6 | 6 |
Aspherical Elements ⓘThe number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration. |
0 | 1 |
Bi Aspherical Elements ⓘElements with two non-spherical surfaces |
0 | 0 |
Low Dispersion ⓘElements that reduce chromatic aberration |
0 | 0 |
Super Low Dispersion ⓘAdvanced elements further reducing chromatic aberration |
0 | 0 |
CA Reduction ⓘBuilt-in features to reduce chromatic aberration |
0 | 0 |
Internal Focusing ⓘInternal Focusing means that the lens does not change in size during focusing, and the front element does not rotate. |
 Yes | No |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Focal length comes first in this choice. For handheld low-light portraits, evening street work and shallow-focus detail at a standard field of view, the EF 50mm F/1.2L USM is the stronger match. Its f/1.2 aperture, 45 cm close focus and weather sealing suit candlelit interiors and changeable conditions. For tighter head-and-shoulders portraits and lighter all-day carry, the EF 100mm F/2 USM fits better, and its internal focus holds barrel length constant.