Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM vs 85mm f/1.8 USM

differences

Reasons to consider the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Much more magnification

1:1 (1x)

1:7 (0.1x)

Take macro shots with subjects around 7x larger in your photo

Image stabilization

Canon IS

None

Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements

Slightly better telephoto

100 mm

85 mm

Around 20% more reach, less perspective distortion

Learn more about
the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Reasons to consider the Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM

Wider aperture

f/1.8

f/2.8

At its widest, the 85mm f/1.8 USM captures much more light, 1.3 f-stops

Slightly lighter

422 g

0.6 kg

More than 30% lighter

Slightly better wide angle

85 mm

100 mm

Around 20% better wide angle

Learn more about
the Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

	Silent focus motor
	Silent and fast

	Fixed focal length prime lenses
	Typically very sharp

	Poor zoom
	1x

Compared to portrait lenses

Common Strengths	Common Weaknesses
LensHero is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.	LensHero is not aware of any interesting weaknesses shared by these two products.

competitors

Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

Macro lens

$519

Has a higher max f/stop

Has a narrower aperture

Is longer

Compare the 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro vs the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Compare the 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro vs the 85mm f/1.8 USM

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

Low light lens

$92 - $110

Lacks a silent focus motor

Compare the EF 50mm f/1.8 II vs the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Compare the EF 50mm f/1.8 II vs the 85mm f/1.8 USM

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM

Sports lens

$894

Has a lower max f/stop

Compare the 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM vs the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Compare the 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM vs the 85mm f/1.8 USM

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

Low light lens

$1,899

Has a wider aperture

Is slightly more expensive

Compare the EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM vs the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Compare the EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM vs the 85mm f/1.8 USM

Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM

Sports lens

$955

Has a higher max f/stop

Compare the EF 135mm f/2L USM vs the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Compare the EF 135mm f/2L USM vs the 85mm f/1.8 USM

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Canon-ef

Macro lens

$479

Has a higher max f/stop

Has a narrower aperture

Lacks a silent focus motor

Compare the 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Canon-ef vs the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Compare the 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Canon-ef vs the 85mm f/1.8 USM

Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM

Low light lens

$349

Compare the 50mm f/1.4 USM vs the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Compare the 50mm f/1.4 USM vs the 85mm f/1.8 USM

Canon Macro MP-E 65mm f/2.8

Macro lens

$935

Better wide angle

No image stabilization

Auto focus

Compare the Macro MP-E 65mm f/2.8 vs the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Nikon Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR

Macro lens

$879

Slightly more expensive

Compare the Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR vs the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Canon EF 35mm f/2

Low light lens

$289

Better wide angle

More magnification

Doesn't have a silent focus motor

Worse telephoto

Compare the EF 35mm f/2 vs the 85mm f/1.8 USM

discussion Which do you think is better?

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Canon
EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
vs
Canon
85mm f/1.8 USM

differences

Reasons to consider the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Reasons to consider the Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM