Tamron
17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef
 vs
Canon
EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef
Has a consant aperture Yes vs No
Help
 Constant aperture lenses offer the same aperture at all focal lengths
Wider aperture f/2.8 vs f/4
Help
 At its widest, the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef captures slightly more light, 1 f-stop
Slightly shorter 82 mm vs 92 mm
Help
 More than 10% shorter
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef Learn more about
the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef

Reasons to consider the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Image stabilization Canon IS vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Has a silent focus motor Canon USM vs None
Help
 Focuses quickly and silently
More zoom 5x vs 2.9x
Help
 Around 70% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
Slightly better telephoto 85 mm vs 50 mm
Help
 70% more reach, less perspective distortion
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Learn more about
the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Wide maximum Wide aperture Help
f/32
Prime lens Both are zoom lenses Help
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

Shared 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

$185 - $199
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Wide maximum 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 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Travel lens

$699
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM vs the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef
Compare the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon-ef

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

Wide angle lens

$594
Wide maximum 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 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS 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
Zoom range Has slightly large zoom range
Aperture 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 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Wide angle lens

$1,059
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Wide maximum Has a lower max f/stop
Compare the 24-105mm f/4L IS USM vs the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef
Compare the 24-105mm f/4L IS USM vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
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
Wide maximum Has a lower max f/stop
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
Compare the 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Canon-ef vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS 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
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Wide maximum Has a lower max f/stop
Compare the EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM vs the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef
Compare the EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

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

Advantages

Disadvantages
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
Magnification Slightly more magnification
Wide maximum Significantly wider aperture
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM vs the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

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

Fisheye lens

$1,499 - $1,699
Fisheye Fisheye lens
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Lowest price More expensive
Zoom range Slightly less zoom
Compare the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM vs the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Canon-ef

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Canon-ef

Wide angle lens

$429
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Fixed aperture Has a variable aperture
Wide maximum Significantly wider aperture
Compare the 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Canon-ef vs the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Canon-ef
Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Canon-ef

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

Wide angle lens

$499
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Length Slightly longer
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD 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 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Canon-ef

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Canon-ef

Travel lens

$399
Zoom range Much more zoom
Max focal length Better telephoto
Image stabilization Worse image stabilization
Compare the 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Canon-ef vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM Canon-ef

Travel lens

$349
Zoom range Much more zoom
Max focal length Better telephoto
Image stabilization Worse image stabilization
Compare the 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM Canon-ef vs the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS 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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