Canon
EF 50mm f/1.8 II
 vs
Canon
85mm f/1.8 USM

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Better wide angle 50 mm vs 85 mm
Help
 More than 40% better wide angle
Shorter 41 mm vs 71 mm
Help
 More than 40% shorter
Slightly lighter 132 g vs 422 g
Help
 3.2x lighter
Slightly cheaper $98.48 vs $369.95
Help
 The best price we've seen is $271 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 85mm f/1.8 USM
Has a silent focus motor Canon USM vs None
Help
 Focuses quickly and silently
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

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Aperture Wide aperture Help
f/1.8
Prime lens Fixed focal length prime lenses Help
Typically very sharp
Zoom range Poor zoom Help
1x
Magnification Poor magnification Help
EF 50mm f/1.8 II:1:6.7 (0.2x)
85mm f/1.8 USM:1:7 (0.1x)

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 EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Compare the 50mm f/1.4 USM vs the 85mm f/1.8 USM
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 85mm f/1.8 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 85mm f/1.8 USM
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 EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Compare the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM vs the 85mm f/1.8 USM
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 EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Compare the EF 28mm f/1.8 USM vs the 85mm f/1.8 USM
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 Has a lower max f/stop
Compare the 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Canon-ef vs the EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Compare the 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Canon-ef vs the 85mm f/1.8 USM

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II 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

$196 - $199
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Magnification More magnification
Prime lens Is a zoom lens
Aperture Significantly narrower aperture
Compare the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF 50mm f/1.8 II
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 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

Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

Macro lens

$519
Magnification Much more magnification
Wide maximum Significantly narrower aperture
Aperture Narrower aperture
Length Longer
Compare the 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro 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
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

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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