Canon EF 50mm F1.0L USM vs Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II
Side-by-side comparison from our catalogue data. Better values are highlighted only where a clear difference exists.
Verdict at a glance
- Canon EF 50mm F1.0L USM is faster by 1.7 stops (f/1.0 vs f/1.8), letting in more light.
- Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II is lighter by 855g.
- Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II is the newer design (1990 vs 1989).
| Spec | EF 50mm F1.0L USM | EF 50mm F1.8 II |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Canon | Canon |
| Mount | Canon EF | Canon EF |
| Type | Prime | Prime |
| Focal length | 50mm | 50mm |
| Max aperture | f/1.0 (faster) | f/1.8 |
| Released | 1989 | 1990 |
| Blades | 8 | 5 |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Groups | 9 | 5 |
| Af motor | USM | n/a |
| Elements | 11 | 6 |
| Weight g | 985.0 | 130.0 (lighter) |
| Filter mm | 72 | 52 |
| Length mm | 81.5 | 41.0 |
| Diameter mm | 91.5 | 68.2 |
| Min focus m | 0.6 | 0.45 (closer focusing) |
| Max magnification | 0.11 | 0.15 |
Canon EF 50mm F1.0L USM
An f/1.0 normal lens from 1989, the fastest autofocus lens in Canon's EF line. It is large and now a collector's item.
Pros
- f/1.0 aperture
- Ring USM
- Distinctive rendering
Cons
- Soft with glow wide open
- Heavy for a 50mm
- Out of production
Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II
The 1990 version of Canon's 50mm f/1.8 for EF mount: tiny and light, with a plastic mount and a basic micro motor. It fits any EF-mount body.
Pros
- Very light and small
- f/1.8 aperture
- Sharp enough once stopped down
Cons
- Plastic mount and build
- Autofocus is slow and audible
- No full-time manual focus override