Canon EF 100mm F/2 USM vs Canon EF 50mm F/1.4 USM — Which Is Better?
Side by side36 specifications |
Canon · f/2 · Canon EF mount
Canon EF 100mm F/2 USM
51
SCORE
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Canon · f/1.4 · Canon EF mount
Canon EF 50mm F/1.4 USM
53
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EF 100mm F/2 USM and the Canon EF 50mm F/1.4 USM are full-frame primes for the Canon EOS system. Both use the same EF mount and cover a full-frame sensor without crop, fitting the same EOS bodies. The 100mm arrived in 1991 and the 50mm in 1993, placing both in Canon's early EF prime generation. | ||
| Release Year | 1991 | 1993 |
Production Status ⓘCurrent status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued). |
 Discontinued |  In Production |
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 | 43/100 |
Read the Physical ComparisonPhysicalThe 50mm F/1.4 is the lighter, shorter carry for everyday shooting. It weighs 290 g against 460 g for the 100mm F/2, and it measures 51 mm long against 74 mm, so it takes up less room in a bag. The two are within a millimetre of the same diameter. Both lenses share a 58 mm front filter thread, so one set of filters fits either lens directly. | ||
| Lens Weight | 460 g | 290 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
75 mm | 74 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
74 mm | 51 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 | 58 mm |
| Optics | 80/100 | 85/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 50mm F/1.4 is the stronger choice for handheld work in dim interiors, because its F/1.4 maximum aperture admits more light than the 100mm's F/2. The 100mm instead gives tighter framing, more perspective compression and greater working distance for portraits, while the 50mm offers the classic standard field of view. The 50mm also focuses closer: it reaches 45 cm, half the 100mm's 90 cm minimum, which helps when filling the frame with a subject. Its maximum magnification is 0.15x against 0.14x. Both lenses offer autofocus with a manual focusing ring, and both share an 8-blade automatic diaphragm. | ||
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 | 1.4 |
| 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 | ||
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesNeither lens offers weather sealing, so neither is the pick for shooting in rain or dust without protection. Image stabilization is likewise absent from both, which favours faster shutter speeds or camera support when light falls. Both lenses lack teleconverter compatibility and a fluorine coating, so focal-length extension and easy smudge cleaning are not part of either package. | ||
Weather Sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 100mm F/2 has internal focusing, so its barrel does not extend while the lens focuses. That keeps the overall length constant during use, which helps when working close to a subject. The 50mm carries two elements intended to reduce chromatic aberration, while the 100mm has none. The 100mm uses 8 elements in 6 groups, against 7 elements in 6 groups for the 50mm, both without aspherical elements. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
8 | 7 |
| Groups | 6 | 6 |
Aspherical Elements ⓘThe number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration. |
0 | 0 |
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 | 2 |
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
Choose the 50mm F/1.4 for low-light reportage, weddings and everyday street shooting, where its F/1.4 aperture, 290 g weight and 45 cm close focus all serve a walkaround kit. Choose the 100mm F/2 for portraits and stage or sports work from a distance, where its longer focal length gives tighter framing and compression.
The 100mm's internal focusing also suits photographing people at close range without the barrel moving toward them. Since neither lens has stabilization, keep shutter speed in mind with either choice, and the 100mm's 90 cm minimum focus distance means it cannot replace a true macro for small subjects.