Canon
EF 50mm f/1.8 II
 vs
Canon
50mm f/1.4 USM

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Slightly lighter 132 g vs 290 g
Help
 2.2x lighter
Slightly shorter 41 mm vs 51 mm
Help
 Around 20% shorter
Slightly cheaper $91.95 vs $349.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $257 cheaper (3.8x less)
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Learn more about
the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

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/1.8
Help
 At its widest, the 50mm f/1.4 USM captures much more light, 0.7 f-stops
Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM Learn more about
the Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Aperture Wide aperture Help
EF 50mm f/1.8 II:f/1.8
50mm f/1.4 USM:f/1.4
Prime lens Fixed focal length prime lenses Help
Typically very sharp
Length Short Help
EF 50mm f/1.8 II:41 mm
50mm f/1.4 USM:51 mm
Zoom range Poor zoom Help
1x
Max focal length Poor telephoto Help
50 mm
Magnification Poor magnification Help
1:6.7 (0.2x)

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

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

Wide angle lens

$199
Magnification Has better macro
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
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 EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Compare the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS 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 EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Compare the EF 35mm f/2 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 EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Compare the 85mm f/1.8 USM vs the 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon 50mm f/2.5 Macro

Canon 50mm f/2.5 Macro

Macro lens

$269
Wide maximum Has a higher max f/stop
Magnification Has better macro
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the 50mm f/2.5 Macro vs the EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Compare the 50mm f/2.5 Macro vs the 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

Macro lens

$519
Wide maximum Has a higher max f/stop
Magnification Has better macro
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Length Is longer
Compare the 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro vs the EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Compare the 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro 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
Wide maximum Has a higher max f/stop
Magnification Has better macro
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM vs the EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Compare the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM vs the 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Travel lens

$499 - $549
Max focal length Has a slightly shorter telephoto lens
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Length Is longer
Compare the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Compare the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the 50mm f/1.4 USM

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

Low light lens

$115
Compare the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D vs the EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G

Low light lens

$217
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G vs the EF 50mm f/1.8 II

Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

Low light lens

$1,439
Aperture Slightly wider aperture
Lowest price More expensive
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the EF 50mm f/1.2L USM 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.

Showing 1 comments

Kris (7:41 PM, September 15, 2012)
The Canon 50mm f/1.8 version does not have distance scale, while the f/1.4 version does. I think this is also important, and it is missing from all the comparisons I have read so far...
 
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