Canon EF 135mm F/2L USM vs Canon EF 85mm F/1.4L IS USM — Which Is Better?
Side by side38 specifications |
Canon · f/2 · Canon EF mount
Canon EF 135mm F/2L USM
61
SCORE
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Canon · f/1.4 · Canon EF mount
Canon EF 85mm F/1.4L IS USM
79
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EF 135mm F/2L USM and the Canon EF 85mm F/1.4L IS USM are both L-series primes for Canon EOS full-frame bodies, but they answer different working distances. The 135mm, released in 1996, frames a subject tightly from farther back, which suits court sports and compressed portraits. The 85mm, released in 2017, works at the classic portrait distance, letting you stay close enough to direct the shot. | ||
| Release Year | 1996 | 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 | 78/100 | 100/100 |
Read the Physical ComparisonPhysicalThe 135mm F/2L is the lighter lens to carry, at 750 g against 950 g for the 85mm F/1.4L IS USM, a 200 g difference. The 85mm is slightly shorter at 105.4 mm versus 112 mm, while the 135mm is slimmer at 83 mm versus 88.6 mm. The 135mm takes 72mm front filters and the 85mm takes 77mm, so filters do not mount directly across the pair. Both accept front filters, so polarisers and ND filters remain usable on either lens. | ||
| Lens Weight | 750 g | 950 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
83 mm | 88.6 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
112 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. |
72 mm | 77 mm |
| Optics | 80/100 | 86/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 85mm F/1.4L IS USM is the stronger choice for dark venues, because its f/1.4 aperture admits more light than the 135mm's f/2 maximum. That wider opening also gives evening portraits shallower depth of field for stronger separation from busy backgrounds. The 135mm answers with reach and close detail. The 85mm focuses a touch closer at 85 cm versus 90 cm, yet the 135mm delivers the greater 0.19x maximum magnification against 0.12x, so small subjects such as rings and textures render larger. Both are primes with autofocus, an automatic diaphragm and a manual focusing ring. | ||
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) |
135 mm | 85 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 | 18.21° | 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 |
8020 | 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. |
90 cm01500 | 85 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced |
0.19x | 0.12x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | 19/100 | 73/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe 85mm is the better tool for handheld work in changeable conditions. It offers image stabilization rated at 4 stops, weather sealing, and a fluorine coating that makes the front element easier to wipe clean after a smudged event day. The 135mm instead offers teleconverter compatibility, which extends its reach for distant subjects without a second long lens. It offers no stabilization, weather sealing or fluorine coating. | ||
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. |
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 |
 Yes | No |
| 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. |
N/A | 4 stops |
| Construction | 15/100 | 15/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionThe 85mm F/1.4L IS uses the larger optical formula, with 14 elements in 10 groups including an aspherical element. The 135mm F/2L uses 10 elements in 8 groups with one low-dispersion element. Neither lens uses internal focusing. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
10 | 14 |
| Groups | 8 | 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 85mm F/1.4L IS USM for handheld portraits in dim churches, receptions or evening streets, where its f/1.4 aperture, 4-stop stabilization and weather sealing directly support the work.
Choose the Canon EF 135mm F/2L USM when you must frame tightly from a fixed position, such as stage, court or ceremony photography, and value its teleconverter reach. Both mount on Canon EOS full-frame bodies, so the decision rests on working distance and conditions.