Canon EF 50mm F/1.2L USM vs Canon EF 50mm F/1.4 USM — Which Is Better?
Side by side37 specifications |
Canon · f/1.2 · Canon EF mount
Canon EF 50mm F/1.2L USM
71
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 50mm F/1.2L USM and the Canon EF 50mm F/1.4 USM are full-frame 50mm prime lenses for the Canon EOS system. The F/1.2L arrived in 2007 and carries Canon's professional L-series branding, while the F/1.4 dates from 1993. Both use the Canon EF mount, so each fits the same range of EOS bodies. | ||
| Release Year | 2007 | 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 F/1.4 USM is the lighter lens to carry, at 290 g, which is half the 580 g of the F/1.2L. It is also more compact, 51 mm long against 66 mm, with a 74 mm barrel instead of 86 mm. Each accepts front filters, but the threads differ, 58 mm against 72 mm, so filters sized for one will not screw directly onto the other. | ||
| Lens Weight | 580 g | 290 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
86 mm | 74 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
66 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. |
72 mm | 58 mm |
| Optics | 86/100 | 85/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe F/1.2L gives you a wider f/1.2 maximum aperture for candlelit portraits and dim interiors, admitting more light than the F/1.4's f/1.4 opening. Their other optics figures match on these points: each focuses to 45 cm, offers 0.15x maximum magnification, provides autofocus with a manual focusing ring, and uses an eight-blade automatic diaphragm. | ||
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) |
50 mm | 50 mm |
Aperture Range ⓘLargest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end) |
1.2 | 1.4 |
| Focal Length Angle of View | 46.8° | 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. |
45 cm01500 | 45 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced |
0.15x | 0.15x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | 32/100 | Unscored |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe F/1.2L offers weather sealing for shooting in rain or dust, while the F/1.4 USM does not. Beyond that, neither lens offers image stabilisation, a fluorine coating or teleconverter support. | ||
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 | ✗ | ✗ |
| Construction | 15/100 | 15/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionThe two lenses share a six-group layout, but the internal designs differ. The F/1.2L uses eight elements, including one aspherical element. The F/1.4 USM uses seven elements, two of them chromatic-aberration-reducing types. Neither lens uses an internal focusing design. | ||
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. |
1 | 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For photographing dim receptions, night streets and wide-aperture portraits, the Canon EF 50mm F/1.2L USM is the stronger choice, and its weather sealing suits outdoor work in rough conditions. If you mostly shoot in daylight at smaller apertures, the F/1.4 USM still delivers the same 50mm view, close focus and magnification at half the weight.