Canon
50mm f/2.5 Macro
 vs
Canon
50mm f/1.4 USM

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Canon 50mm f/2.5 Macro
Significantly more magnification 1:2 (0.5x) vs 1:6.7 (0.2x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects around 3.5x larger in your photo
Significantly narrower aperture f/32 vs f/22
Help
 At its narrowest, the 50mm f/2.5 Macro goes 1.1 f-stops narrower
Canon 50mm f/2.5 Macro Learn more about
the Canon 50mm f/2.5 Macro

Reasons to consider the Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM
Has a silent focus motor Canon USM vs None
Help
 Focuses quickly and silently
Wider aperture f/1.4 vs f/2.5
Help
 At its widest, the 50mm f/1.4 USM captures much more light, 1.7 f-stops
Slightly shorter 51 mm vs 64 mm
Help
 More than 20% shorter
Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM Learn more about
the Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Prime lens Fixed focal length prime lenses Help
Typically very sharp
Length Short Help
50mm f/2.5 Macro:64 mm
50mm f/1.4 USM:51 mm
Aperture Wide aperture Help
50mm f/2.5 Macro:f/2.5
50mm f/1.4 USM:f/1.4
Zoom range Poor zoom Help
1x
Max focal length Poor telephoto Help
50 mm

Compared to low light lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Auto focus Auto focus Help
Easier to use

LensHero is not aware of any interesting weaknesses shared by these two products.

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

Low light lens

$98 - $125
Compare the EF 50mm f/1.8 II vs the 50mm f/2.5 Macro
Compare the EF 50mm f/1.8 II vs the 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon EF 35mm f/2

Canon EF 35mm f/2

Low light lens

$289
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the EF 35mm f/2 vs the 50mm f/2.5 Macro
Compare the EF 35mm f/2 vs the 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

Low light lens

$1,439
Compare the EF 50mm f/1.2L USM vs the 50mm f/2.5 Macro
Compare the EF 50mm f/1.2L USM vs the 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM

Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM

Low light lens

$370
Compare the 85mm f/1.8 USM vs the 50mm f/2.5 Macro
Compare the 85mm f/1.8 USM vs the 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM

Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM

Macro lens

$419
Magnification Has better macro
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM vs the 50mm f/2.5 Macro
Compare the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM vs the 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

Macro lens

$519
Magnification Has better macro
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Length Is longer
Compare the 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro vs the 50mm f/2.5 Macro
Compare the 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro vs the 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Wide angle lens

$185 - $199
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Zoom range Has slightly large zoom range
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Prime lens Is a zoom lens
Compare the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the 50mm f/2.5 Macro
Compare the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the 50mm f/1.4 USM

Canon 50mm f/2.5 Macro Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Canon-ef

Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Canon-ef

Macro lens

$369
Magnification Significantly more magnification
Wide maximum Significantly narrower aperture
Aperture Slightly narrower aperture
Compare the 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Canon-ef vs the 50mm f/2.5 Macro
Nikon Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 Micro AIS

Nikon Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 Micro AIS

Macro lens

$410
Auto focus Auto focus
Aperture Slightly narrower aperture
Compare the Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 Micro AIS vs the 50mm f/2.5 Macro
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Macro lens

$549
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Min focal length Worse wide angle
Aperture Slightly narrower aperture
Compare the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM vs the 50mm f/2.5 Macro
Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

Low light lens

$115
Aperture Wider aperture
Length Slightly shorter
Magnification Significantly less magnification
Wide maximum Significantly wider aperture
Compare the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D vs the 50mm f/2.5 Macro

Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Canon-ef

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Canon-ef

Low light lens

$449
Wide maximum Wider aperture
Length Slightly longer
Compare the 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Canon-ef vs the 50mm f/1.4 USM
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G

Low light lens

$429
Wide maximum Wider aperture
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G vs the 50mm f/1.4 USM

discussion Which do you think is better?

Speech is free, but discussion at LensHero is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of these lenses here, and discuss feedback for LensHero at our support community.

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