Canon
EF 50mm f/1.8 II
 vs
Canon
50mm f/2.5 Macro

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Wider aperture f/1.8 vs f/2.5
Help
 At its widest, the EF 50mm f/1.8 II captures much more light, 0.9 f-stops
Slightly shorter 41 mm vs 64 mm
Help
 Around 40% shorter
Slightly lighter 132 g vs 277 g
Help
 2.1x lighter
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/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

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Prime lens Fixed focal length prime lenses Help
Typically very sharp
Length Short Help
EF 50mm f/1.8 II:41 mm
50mm f/2.5 Macro:64 mm
Aperture Wide aperture Help
EF 50mm f/1.8 II:f/1.8
50mm f/2.5 Macro:f/2.5
Focus motor No silent focus motor Help
Louder and slower
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 50mm f/1.4 USM

Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM

Low light lens

$349
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Compare the 50mm f/1.4 USM vs the EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Compare the 50mm f/1.4 USM vs the 50mm f/2.5 Macro
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
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 EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Compare the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the 50mm f/2.5 Macro
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
Compare the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D 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 EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Compare the EF 35mm f/2 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
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
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/2.5 Macro
Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM

Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM

Low light lens

$370
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
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/2.5 Macro
Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

Macro lens

$519
Magnification Has better macro
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
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/2.5 Macro

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
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
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Zoom range Much more zoom
Prime lens Is a zoom lens
Aperture Significantly narrower aperture
Compare the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS 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/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
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

Low light lens

$1,439
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Aperture Significantly wider aperture
Magnification Significantly less magnification
Lowest price More expensive
Compare the EF 50mm f/1.2L USM vs the 50mm f/2.5 Macro

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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