Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef vs Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

differences

Reasons to consider the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef

Has a consant aperture

Yes

Constant aperture lenses offer the same aperture at all focal lengths

Wider aperture

f/2.8

f/3.5

At its widest, the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef captures slightly more light, 0.6 f-stops

Slightly lighter

434 g

0.6 kg

More than 20% lighter

Learn more about
the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef

Reasons to consider the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Image stabilization

Canon IS

None

Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements

Has a silent focus motor

Canon USM

None

Focuses quickly and silently

More zoom

5.7x

2.9x

More than 90% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos

Slightly better telephoto

85 mm

50 mm

70% more reach, less perspective distortion

Learn more about
the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

LensHero is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.

	Both are zoom lenses
	Typically not as sharp as prime lenses

Compared to wide angle 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

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

Wide angle lens

$739

Has a narrower aperture

Has a lower max f/stop

Compare the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM vs the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef

Compare the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM vs the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

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

Wide angle lens

$1,059

Has a lower max f/stop

Compare the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM vs the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef

Compare the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM vs the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Canon-ef

Wide angle lens

$499

Compare the 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Canon-ef vs the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef

Compare the 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Canon-ef vs the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Travel lens

$499 - $549

Has slightly large zoom range

Has a narrower aperture

Compare the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef

Compare the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

Fisheye lens

$1,467 - $1,699

Is a fisheye lens

Compare the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM vs the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef

Compare the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM vs the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Wide angle lens

$594

Has a lower max f/stop

Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon-ef vs the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef

Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon-ef vs the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

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

Wide angle lens

$185 - $199

Has a narrower aperture

Has a lower max f/stop

Compare the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef

Compare the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

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

Wide angle lens

$199

Has a silent focus motor

Image stabilization

Has a variable aperture

Significantly wider aperture

Compare the 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef vs the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef

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

Travel lens

$489

Narrower aperture

Slightly less zoom

Compare the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM vs the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

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

Travel lens

$699

Significantly more zoom

Better telephoto

Doesn't have a silent focus motor

Compare the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

discussion Which do you think is better?

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Tamron
17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef
vs
Canon
EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

differences

Reasons to consider the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef

Reasons to consider the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM