Canon
EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
 vs
Canon
50mm f/1.4 USM

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Image stabilization Canon IS vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
More magnification 1:3 (0.3x) vs 1:6.7 (0.2x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects more than 2x larger in your photo
More zoom 3.1x vs 1x
Help
 More than 3x more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
Better wide angle 18 mm vs 50 mm
Help
 2.8x better wide angle
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Learn more about
the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Reasons to consider the Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM
Has a silent focus motor Canon USM vs None
Help
 Focuses quickly and silently
Much wider aperture f/1.4 vs f/3.5
Help
 At its widest, the 50mm f/1.4 USM captures much more light, 2.6 f-stops
Is a prime lens Yes vs No
Help
 Prime lenses have a single focal length, they are typically sharper and have wider apertures
Slightly shorter 51 mm vs 70 mm
Help
 Around 30% shorter
Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM Learn more about
the Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Length Short Help
EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS:70 mm
50mm f/1.4 USM:51 mm
Max focal length Poor telephoto Help
EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS:55 mm
50mm f/1.4 USM:50 mm

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

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
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 EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Compare the EF 50mm f/1.8 II 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
Zoom range Has significantly large zoom range
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Length Is longer
Compare the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Compare the EF-S 18-135mm 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-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Compare the EF 35mm f/2 vs the 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Travel lens

$479
Max focal length Has a slightly shorter telephoto lens
Zoom range Has slightly large zoom range
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Compare the EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM vs the 50mm f/1.4 USM

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

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

Nikon Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

Wide angle lens

$109 - $197
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Compare the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Canon 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM

Canon 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM

Wildlife lens

$169
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Max focal length Significantly better telephoto
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Length Longer
Compare the 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Travel lens

$489
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Wide maximum Significantly narrower aperture
Magnification Less magnification
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Wide angle lens

$1,059
Fixed aperture Has a consant aperture
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Magnification Less magnification
Length Longer
Compare the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Wide angle lens

$199
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Aperture Wider aperture
Image stabilization Worse image stabilization
Magnification Less magnification
Compare the 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
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 Wider aperture
Length Slightly longer
Compare the 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Canon-ef vs the 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM

Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM

Low light lens

$370
Max focal length Slightly better telephoto
Aperture Narrower aperture
Min focal length Worse wide angle
Compare the 85mm f/1.8 USM vs the 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

Low light lens

$1,439
Aperture Slightly wider aperture
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the EF 50mm f/1.2L USM vs the 50mm f/1.4 USM
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 Significantly narrower aperture
Length Longer
Compare the 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro vs the 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon 50mm f/2.5 Macro

Canon 50mm f/2.5 Macro

Macro lens

$269
Magnification Significantly more magnification
Wide maximum Significantly narrower aperture
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the 50mm f/2.5 Macro 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.

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