Canon EF 50mm F/1.2L USM vs Canon EF 85mm F/1.4L IS USM — Which Is Better?
Side by side38 specifications |
Canon · f/1.2 · Canon EF mount
Canon EF 50mm F/1.2L USM
71
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 50mm F/1.2L USM and Canon EF 85mm F/1.4L IS USM are both L-series prime lenses for the Canon EOS system. They share the Canon EF mount and full-frame coverage, so either lens fits the same EF-mount cameras. The 50mm dates from 2007 and the 85mm from 2017, a ten-year gap in design age. | ||
| Release Year | 2007 | 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 50mm is the smaller and lighter carry for walk-around shooting at 580 g against 950 g. It is also shorter, 66 mm against 105.4 mm. Both take front filters, but in different direct-fit sizes, 72 mm for the 50mm and 77 mm for the 85mm, so your existing filters fit only one without an adapter. Diameters are close, at 86 mm for the 50mm and 88.6 mm for the 85mm, so the size gap comes mainly from the 85mm's extra length rather than bulk. | ||
| Lens Weight | 580 g | 950 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
86 mm | 88.6 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
66 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 | 86/100 | 86/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 85mm frames tighter head-and-shoulders portraits from the same position, with a 70 percent longer focal length than the 50mm. The 50mm keeps more of the scene for reportage and street work. Both lenses offer autofocus and a manual focusing ring. In very dim light, the 50mm is the better pick with its f/1.2 maximum aperture against f/1.4 on the 85mm. That wider opening lets you shoot candlelit interiors or evening streets without raising ISO as far. The 50mm also focuses nearer, at 45 cm against 85 cm, and offers the higher maximum magnification at 0.15x against 0.12x. | ||
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) |
50 mm | 85 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° | 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. |
45 cm01500 | 85 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced |
0.15x | 0.12x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | 32/100 | 73/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesImage stabilization makes the 85mm the stronger handheld choice for mixed light. Its stabilizer is rated at 4 stops, while the 50mm has none, so only the 85mm helps steady handheld portraits in dim interiors. The 85mm also has a fluorine coating, which helps the front glass shed dust and smudges for easier cleaning, a benefit the 50mm lacks. Both lenses are weather sealed, and neither accepts a teleconverter. | ||
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. |
N/A | 4 stops |
| Construction | 15/100 | 15/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionThe 85mm is the more complex design, built from 14 elements in 10 groups against 8 elements in 6 groups for the 50mm. Both designs include a single aspherical element. Neither lens uses internal focusing, so the barrel length changes while focusing on both. Neither design includes a floating element system. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
8 | 14 |
| Groups | 6 | 10 |
Aspherical Elements ⓘThe number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration. |
1 | 1 |
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 | 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 classic portraiture and indoor handheld sessions, where its 4-stop stabilizer and fluorine coating matter most. Choose the Canon EF 50mm F/1.2L USM for low-light street and reportage, where its f/1.2 aperture keeps ISO down in dim venues.
For tighter headshots at a comfortable working distance, the 85mm is the right focal length. If you include more environment or work in tighter spaces, the 50mm is the better match.