Nikon Nikkor
55mm f/2.8 Micro AIS
 vs
Canon
85mm f/1.8 USM

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Nikon 55mm f/2.8 Micro AIS
Significantly more magnification 1:2 (0.5x) vs 1:7 (0.1x)
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 55mm f/2.8 Micro AIS goes 1.1 f-stops narrower
Slightly better wide angle 55 mm vs 85 mm
Help
 Around 40% better wide angle
Slightly lighter 290 g vs 422 g
Help
 More than 30% lighter
Nikon Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 Micro AIS Learn more about
the Nikon 55mm f/2.8 Micro AIS

Reasons to consider the Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM
Auto focus Yes vs No
Help
Has a silent focus motor Canon USM vs None
Help
 Focuses quickly and silently
Wider aperture f/1.8 vs f/2.8
Help
 At its widest, the 85mm f/1.8 USM captures much more light, 1.3 f-stops
Slightly better telephoto 85 mm vs 55 mm
Help
 More than 50% 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
Prime lens Fixed focal length prime lenses Help
Typically very sharp
Zoom range Poor zoom Help
1x

Compared to portrait lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses

LensHero is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
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
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM vs the Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 Micro AIS
Compare the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM vs the 85mm f/1.8 USM
Nikon Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

Nikon Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

Low light lens

$429
Wide maximum Has a lower max f/stop
Compare the Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D vs the Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 Micro AIS
Compare the Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D vs the 85mm f/1.8 USM

Nikon Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 Micro AIS Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Nikkor Micro 60mm f/2.8D

Nikon Nikkor Micro 60mm f/2.8D

Macro lens

$429
Auto focus Auto focus
Magnification Significantly more magnification
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the Nikkor Micro 60mm f/2.8D vs the Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 Micro AIS
Canon 50mm f/2.5 Macro

Canon 50mm f/2.5 Macro

Macro lens

$269
Auto focus Auto focus
Aperture Slightly wider aperture
Compare the 50mm f/2.5 Macro vs the Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 Micro AIS
Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 AIS

Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 AIS

Low light lens

$650
Aperture Significantly wider aperture
Length Slightly shorter
Wide maximum Much wider aperture
Compare the Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 AIS vs the Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 Micro AIS
Nikon Nikkor AF-S Micro 60mm f/2.8G ED

Nikon Nikkor AF-S Micro 60mm f/2.8G ED

Macro lens

$499
Auto focus Auto focus
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Diameter Slightly larger diameter
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the Nikkor AF-S Micro 60mm f/2.8G ED vs the Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 Micro AIS
Nikon Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro

Nikon Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro

Lens

$277
Auto focus Auto focus
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Max focal length Slightly worse telephoto
Compare the Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro vs the Nikkor 55mm f/2.8 Micro AIS

Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

Low light lens

$98 - $125
Min focal length Better wide angle
Length Shorter
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Max focal length Slightly worse telephoto
Compare the EF 50mm f/1.8 II vs the 85mm f/1.8 USM
Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM

Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM

Low light lens
Aperture Wider aperture
Min focal length Better wide angle
Max focal length Slightly worse telephoto
Compare the 50mm f/1.4 USM vs the 85mm f/1.8 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 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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