Canon
EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
 vs
Canon
EF 50mm f/1.8 II

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 EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Is a prime lens Yes vs No
Help
 Prime lenses have a single focal length, they are typically sharper and have wider apertures
Significantly wider aperture f/1.8 vs f/3.5
Help
 At its widest, the EF 50mm f/1.8 II captures much more light, 1.9 f-stops
Shorter 41 mm vs 70 mm
Help
 More than 40% shorter
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Learn more about
the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Length Short Help
EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS:70 mm
EF 50mm f/1.8 II:41 mm
Focus motor No silent focus motor Help
Louder and slower
Max focal length Poor telephoto Help
EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS:55 mm
EF 50mm f/1.8 II: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 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-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Compare the 50mm f/1.4 USM 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
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 EF 50mm f/1.8 II
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-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Compare the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM vs the EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Wide angle lens

$1,059
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Fixed aperture Has a fixed aperture
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Length Is longer
Compare the 24-105mm f/4L IS USM vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Compare the 24-105mm f/4L IS USM vs the EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

Wide angle lens

$739
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Fixed aperture Has a fixed aperture
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Length Is longer
Compare the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Compare the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM vs the EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Travel lens

$699
Max focal length Has a slightly shorter telephoto lens
Zoom range Has way more large zoom range
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Length Is longer
Compare the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Compare the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

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

Wide angle lens

$1,179
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Fixed aperture Has a fixed aperture
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Length Is longer
Compare the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Compare the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM vs the EF 50mm f/1.8 II

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

$107 - $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
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef

Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef

Wide angle lens

$459
Fixed aperture Has a consant aperture
Wide maximum Significantly narrower aperture
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Magnification Less magnification
Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
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
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Zoom range More zoom
Magnification Less magnification
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM vs the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

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
Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM

Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM

Low light lens

$370
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Max focal length Slightly better telephoto
Min focal length Worse wide angle
Length Longer
Compare the 85mm f/1.8 USM vs the EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Canon EF 35mm f/2

Canon EF 35mm f/2

Low light lens

$289
Magnification More magnification
Min focal length Slightly better wide angle
Aperture Slightly narrower aperture
Max focal length Slightly worse telephoto
Compare the EF 35mm f/2 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

Canon 50mm f/2.5 Macro

Macro lens

$269
Magnification Significantly more magnification
Wide maximum Significantly narrower aperture
Aperture Narrower aperture
Length Slightly longer
Compare the 50mm f/2.5 Macro vs the EF 50mm f/1.8 II

discussion Which do you think is better?

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