Canon EF 50mm F1.2L USM vs Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
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 F1.2L USM is faster by 10.8 stops (f/1.2 vs f/50.0), letting in more light.
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM is lighter by 300g.
- Canon EF 50mm F1.2L USM is the newer design (2007 vs 1993).
| Spec | EF 50mm F1.2L USM | EF 50mm f/1.4 USM |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Canon | Canon |
| Mount | Canon EF | Canon EF |
| Type | Prime | Prime |
| Focal length | 50mm | 50mm |
| Max aperture | f/1.2 (faster) | f/50.0 |
| Released | 2007 | 1993 |
| Blades | 8 | 8 |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Groups | 6 | 6 |
| Af motor | USM | USM |
| Elements | 8 | 7 |
| Weight g | 590.0 | 290.0 (lighter) |
| Filter mm | 72 | 58 |
| Length mm | 65.5 | 50.5 |
| Diameter mm | 85.8 | 73.8 |
| Min focus m | 0.45 | 0.45 |
| Max magnification | 0.15 | 0.15 |
Canon EF 50mm F1.2L USM
Canon's f/1.2 standard prime from the L line, with dust and moisture resistance and a ring USM motor. Built for shallow depth of field and low light on full-frame bodies.
Pros
- f/1.2 maximum aperture
- L-series dust and moisture resistance
- Strong subject separation
- Ring USM with manual override
Cons
- Large and heavy for a 50mm
- Soft toward the edges wide open
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
A fast standard prime from the 1990s with a ring-type USM motor and a metal mount. It sits between the f/1.8 models and the L-series f/1.2 in speed and build.
Pros
- f/1.4 aperture
- Ring USM with full-time manual focus
- Metal mount and solid build
- Compact for its speed
Cons
- Soft and hazy wide open
- Not weather sealed
- Older optical design