Canon
85mm f/1.8 USM
 vs
Canon
50mm f/2.5 Macro

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM
Has a silent focus motor Canon USM vs None
Help
 Focuses quickly and silently
Wider aperture f/1.8 vs f/2.5
Help
 At its widest, the 85mm f/1.8 USM captures much more light, 0.9 f-stops
Slightly better telephoto 85 mm vs 50 mm
Help
 70% more reach, less perspective distortion
Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM Learn more about
the Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM

Reasons to consider the Canon 50mm f/2.5 Macro
Significantly more magnification 1:2 (0.5x) vs 1:7 (0.1x)
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
Better wide angle 50 mm vs 85 mm
Help
 More than 40% better wide angle
Slightly lighter 277 g vs 422 g
Help
 More than 30% lighter
Canon 50mm f/2.5 Macro Learn more about
the Canon 50mm f/2.5 Macro

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Prime lens Fixed focal length prime lenses Help
Typically very sharp
Aperture Wide aperture Help
85mm f/1.8 USM:f/1.8
50mm f/2.5 Macro:f/2.5
Zoom range Poor zoom Help
1x

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 50mm f/1.4 USM

Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM

Low light lens
Compare the 50mm f/1.4 USM vs the 85mm f/1.8 USM
Compare the 50mm f/1.4 USM vs the 50mm f/2.5 Macro
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 85mm f/1.8 USM
Compare the EF 50mm f/1.8 II vs the 50mm f/2.5 Macro
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 85mm f/1.8 USM
Compare the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM 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
Magnification Has better macro
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM vs the 85mm f/1.8 USM
Compare the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM vs the 50mm f/2.5 Macro
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 85mm f/1.8 USM
Compare the 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro vs the 50mm f/2.5 Macro
Canon EF 35mm f/2

Canon EF 35mm f/2

Low light lens

$289
Compare the EF 35mm f/2 vs the 85mm f/1.8 USM
Compare the EF 35mm f/2 vs the 50mm f/2.5 Macro
Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM

Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM

Low light lens

$449
Compare the EF 28mm f/1.8 USM vs the 85mm f/1.8 USM
Compare the EF 28mm f/1.8 USM vs the 50mm f/2.5 Macro

Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM

Sports lens

$894
Aperture Wider aperture
Wide maximum Wider aperture
Lowest price Slightly more expensive
Compare the 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM vs the 85mm f/1.8 USM
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 85mm f/1.8G

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 85mm f/1.8G

Low light lens

$580
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 85mm f/1.8G vs the 85mm f/1.8 USM
Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 Canon-ef

Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 Canon-ef

Low light lens

$269
Aperture Wider aperture
Auto focus Auto focus
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Compare the 85mm f/1.4 Canon-ef vs the 85mm f/1.8 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
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

discussion Which do you think is better?

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