Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM lens review

In the second instalment of our latest series of lens reviews, we focus on Canons mid-range standard prime, the EF 50mm F1.4 USM. With a distinctly traditional optical formula dressed up in a modern AF body, and designed as a standard lens for 35mm film but now more frequently serving as a short portrait lens on APS-C, how does this relative veteran compare to Sigmas brand new 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM which we reviewed last month?

NOTE: Just a reminder that comparative test data for the Nikon AF-Nikkor 50mm F1.4 D lens is also available through our lens review widget.

Click here for our lens review of the Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM

Sigma, Canon, Nikon, and Pentax 50mm F1.4 lenses compared Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSMCanon EF 50mm F1.4 USMNikon AF-Nikkor 50mm F1.4 DPentax smc P-FA 50mm F1.4Street price$500$325$290$200Maximum format size35mm full frame35mm full frame35mm full frame35mm full frameFocal length50mm50mm50mm50mm35mm equivalent focal length(APS-C)

• 75mm (1.5x)• 80mm (1.6x)• 85mm (1.7x)

80mm

75mm

75mm

Diagonal Angle of view (FF)

47º47º47º47ºDiagonal Angle of view (APS-C)31º31º31º31ºMaximum apertureF1.4F1.4F1.4F1.4Minimum apertureF16F22F16F22Lens Construction• 8 elements/6 groups• 1 aspherical element

• 7 elements/6 groups

• 7 elements/6 groups

• 7 elements/6 groups

Number of diaphragm blades

9, rounded

878Minimum focus0.45m0.45m0.45m0.45mMaximum magnification

0.14x

0.15x0.15x0.15xAF motor type• Ring-type ultrasonic• Full-time manual focus• Micro-type ultrasonic• Full-time manual focus• Screw drive from camera body• Screw drive from camera bodyFocus methodUnit, internal to barrelUnitUnitUnitImage stabilization

• None

• None

• None• NoneFilter thread• 77mm• Does not rotate on focus• 58mm• Does not rotate on focus• 52mm• Does not rotate on focus• 49mm• Does not rotate on focusSupplied accessories

• Front and rear caps•Hood• Soft Case

• Front and rear caps• Front and rear caps• Front and rear capsWeight505 g (17.8 oz)290g (10.2 oz)230g (8.1 oz)220g (7.8 oz)Dimensions84.5mm diameter x 68.2mm length(3.3 x 2.7 in)73.8mm diameter x 50.5mm length(2.9 x 2.0 in)64.5mm diameter x 42.5mm length(2.5 x 1.7 in)

63.5mm diameter x 38mm length(2.5 x 1.5 in)

Lens MountCanon, Nikon, Pentax,Sigma, SonyCanon EF onlyNikon F onlyPentax K only

Click here for our lens review of the Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM

Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM lens review More INFO

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