Canon EF 100mm F/2.8L Macro IS USM vs Canon EF 50mm F/1.4 USM — Which Is Better?
Side by side38 specifications |
Canon · f/2.8 · Canon EF mount
Canon EF 100mm F/2.8L Macro IS USM
86
WINNER
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Canon · f/1.4 · Canon EF mount
Canon EF 50mm F/1.4 USM
53
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EF 100mm F/2.8L Macro IS USM and the Canon EF 50mm F/1.4 USM are both full frame primes for the Canon EOS system, but they serve very different roles. The 100mm, from 2009, carries Canon's L designation and is built around life-size macro work. The 50mm, from 1993, is a fast standard prime for everyday and low-light shooting. Both share the Canon EF mount, so either fits an EF-compatible EOS body without an adapter, making this a choice of focal length and aperture. | ||
| Release Year | 2009 | 1993 |
Production Status ⓘCurrent status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued). |
 In Production | In Production |
Pro Branding ⓘSpecific branding codes used for professional-tier lenses. |
L | N/A |
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 | 100/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Physical ComparisonPhysicalThe 50mm is the far lighter lens to carry, at 290 g against 625 g for the 100mm. At 51 mm long against 123 mm, it also takes up much less room in a bag. The filter threads differ, at 67mm on the 100mm and 58mm on the 50mm, so one set will not screw straight onto both. Both accept front filters, which keeps polarisers and other screw-in options open on either. | ||
| Lens Weight | 625 g | 290 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
78 mm | 74 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
123 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. |
67 mm | 58 mm |
| Optics | 82/100 | 85/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 100mm is the clear choice for close-up work, offering 1x maximum magnification so a subject fills the frame at life size. Its 30 cm close focus suits flowers, insects and product detail. The 50mm offers 0.15x magnification and focuses no closer than 45 cm, so it cannot stand in for a macro lens. The 50mm is the better lens for dim light, opening to f/1.4 while the 100mm is limited to f/2.8. That wider opening suits dim interiors, evening street scenes and shallow depth of field portraits. Both are autofocus primes with manual focusing rings. | ||
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) |
2.8 | 1.4 |
| Focal Length Angle of View | 24.42° | 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 |
9020 | 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. |
30 cm01500 | 45 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced |
1x | 0.15x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | 54/100 | Unscored |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe 100mm is better prepared for handheld shooting and changeable weather. It offers 4-stop image stabilization and weather sealing, while the 50mm offers neither. The stabilization helps keep handheld close-up frames sharp without a tripod, and the sealing covers damp or dusty conditions. | ||
Weather Sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | No |
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 | ✓ | ✗ |
IS Efficiency ⓘIS efficiency refers to the effectiveness of the image stabilization system in compensating for the blurring effects of camera shake, quantified by the number of stops of stabilization it provides. |
4 stops | N/A |
| Construction | 15/100 | 15/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionThe 100mm uses a more elaborate optical path, with 15 elements in 12 groups including one low-dispersion element to help control colour fringing. The 50mm uses 7 elements in 6 groups, with two elements for chromatic aberration reduction. Neither lens uses internal focusing, so the barrel extends while focusing on both. Neither includes aspherical elements. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
15 | 7 |
| Groups | 12 | 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 |
1 | 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EF 100mm F/2.8L Macro IS USM if close-up photography is the point of the purchase. Life-size magnification, a 30 cm close focus, 4-stop stabilization and weather sealing cover handheld macro work outdoors. Its 100mm reach also keeps a comfortable working distance from skittish insects.
Choose the Canon EF 50mm F/1.4 USM for everyday and low-light photography, where the f/1.4 aperture and 290 g build make it the practical standard prime. For dim interiors, evening scenes and natural-light portraits, the wider aperture is decisive. These are complementary lenses rather than rivals.