Canon EF 100mm F/2.8L Macro IS USM vs Canon EF 85mm F/1.4L IS 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 85mm F/1.4L IS USM
79
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EF 100mm F/2.8L Macro IS USM and the Canon EF 85mm F/1.4L IS USM are both L-series prime lenses for the Canon EF mount, and both cover full frame. The 100mm, released in 2009, is a close-up specialist with life-size maximum magnification, while the 85mm, from 2017, is a wide-aperture short telephoto for portraits and low light. | ||
| Release Year | 2009 | 2017 |
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 | 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 | 100/100 | 100/100 |
Read the Physical ComparisonPhysicalThe 100mm Macro is the lighter carry at 625 g, against 950 g for the 85mm, a 325 g difference. It is also slimmer, at 78 mm across the barrel against 88.6 mm, though the 85mm is shorter at 105.4 mm against 123 mm. Both lenses accept front filters, but their threads differ: 67 mm on the 100mm and 77 mm on the 85mm. Filters bought for one direct-fit size will not screw straight onto the other. | ||
| Lens Weight | 625 g | 950 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
78 mm | 88.6 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
123 mm | 105.4 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 | 77 mm |
| Optics | 82/100 | 86/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 85mm is the clear choice for dim receptions and candlelit portraits: its f/1.4 maximum aperture is wider than the 100mm's f/2.8, so you can keep shooting in poor light and blur backgrounds more heavily. The 100mm instead delivers life-size 1x maximum magnification against 0.12x on the 85mm, the difference between filling the frame with one flower and shooting a whole bouquet. The 100mm focuses as near as 30 cm, while the 85mm stops at 85 cm, so the 100mm is the practical pick for product shots and insects. Both lenses offer autofocus, a manual focusing ring, and a nine-blade diaphragm. | ||
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) |
100 mm | 85 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° | 28.56° |
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 | 9020 |
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 | 85 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced |
1x | 0.12x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | 54/100 | 73/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesImage stabilization is a shared strength: both lenses offer it, rated at 4 stops, so handheld shooting of still subjects is steadier on either lens. Both also carry weather sealing, and neither supports teleconverters. The 85mm has a fluorine coating, which helps dust and smudges wipe away easily during a shoot. The 100mm does not have this coating, so its front glass needs more careful cleaning on location. | ||
Weather Sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
Fluorine Coating ⓘCoating to repel water and oil from lens elements. |
No |  Yes |
| 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 | 4 stops |
| Construction | 15/100 | 15/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionThe 85mm pairs 14 elements in 10 groups with one aspherical element, while the 100mm organizes 15 elements in 12 groups around one low-dispersion element. Neither lens uses internal focusing or a floating element system. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
15 | 14 |
| Groups | 12 | 10 |
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 |
1 | 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EF 100mm F/2.8L Macro IS USM if your photography leans toward close-ups. Flowers, insects, food and detail shots all benefit from its life-size magnification and 30 cm close focus, and its 4-stop stabilizer keeps handheld frames steadier.
Choose the Canon EF 85mm F/1.4L IS USM for people. The f/1.4 aperture opens up dim churches, restaurants and evening streets, and the 85mm focal length frames slightly wider than the 100mm from the same position. Its fluorine coating makes smudges easy to wipe clean on location. With sealing and stabilization shared, the choice comes down to magnification versus aperture.