Home Lenses Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Canon · EF
Released June 1993
A 50 mm f/1.4 standard prime for Canon EF cameras, with micro USM autofocus, full-time manual focus and a 58 mm filter thread.
Compare with another lens Compare with… EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM (2018) EF 70–200mm f/4L IS II USM (2018) EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM (2017) EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM (2017) EF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM (2017) EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM (2016) EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM (2016) EF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM (2016) EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM (2015) EF 50mm f/1.8 STM (2015) EF 24–105mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM (2014) EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM (2014) EF-S 10–18mm f/4.5–5.6 IS STM (2014) EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS STM (2013) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM (2013) EF 24–70mm f/4L IS USM (2012) EF 35mm f/2 IS USM (2012) EF 24–70mm f/2.8L II USM (2012) EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM (2012) EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM (2012) EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM (2012) EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS II (2011) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 III (2011) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS II (2011) EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS II USM (2010) EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM (2009) EF-S 15–85mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM (2009) EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS (2009) EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM (2008) EF-S 18–200mm f/3.5–5.6 IS (2008) EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS (2007) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS (2007) EF 50mm f/1.2L USM (2007) EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM (2007) EF 70–200mm f/4L IS USM (2006) EF-S 17–55mm f/2.8 IS USM (2006) EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM (2006) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II (2005) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II USM (2005) EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM (2005) EF 24–105mm f/4L IS USM (2005) EF-S 10–22mm f/3.5–4.5 USM (2004) EF-S 17–85mm f/4–5.6 IS USM (2004) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 USM (2003) EF 24–70mm f/2.8L USM (2002) EF 16–35mm f/2.8L USM (2001) EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS USM (2001) EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM (2000) EF 70–200mm f/4L USM (1999) EF 35mm f/1.4L USM (1998) EF 24mm f/1.4L USM (1997) EF 135mm f/2L USM (1996) EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM (1996) EF 28mm f/1.8 USM (1995) EF 70–200mm f/2.8L USM (1995) EF 85mm f/1.8 USM (1992) EF 200mm f/2.8L USM (1991) EF 50mm f/1.8 II (1990) EF 35mm f/2 (1990) EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (1990) EF 80–200mm f/2.8L (1989) EF 85mm f/1.2L USM (1989) EF 24mm f/2.8 (1988) EF 28mm f/2.8 (1987) EF 50mm f/1.8 (1987) RF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZ (2026) RF 14mm F1.4L VCM (2026) RF 7-14mm F2.8-3.5L FISHEYE STM (2026) RF 45mm F1.2 STM (2025) RF 85mm F1.4L VCM (2025) RF 75–300mm F4–5.6 (2025) RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM (2025) RF-S 14–30mm F4–6.3 IS STM PZ (2025) RF 16–28mm F2.8 IS STM (2025) RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM (2024) RF 50mm F1.4 L VCM (2024) RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z (2024) RF 28–70mm F2.8 IS STM (2024) RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM (2024) RF 200–800mm F6.3–9 IS USM (2023) RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z (2023) RF-S 10–18mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM (2023) RF 10–20mm F4 L IS STM (2023) RF 28mm F2.8 STM (2023) RF 100–300mm F2.8L IS USM (2023) RF 24–50mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM (2023) RF-S 55–210mm F5–7.1 IS STM (2023) RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM (2023) RF 15–30mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM (2022) RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM (2022) RF-S 18–150mm F3.5–6.3 IS STM (2022) RF-S 18–45mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM (2022) RF 1200mm F8L IS USM (2022) RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM (2022) RF 100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM (2021) RF 16mm F2.8 STM (2021) RF 14–35mm F4 L IS USM (2021) RF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM (2021) RF 400mm F2.8L IS USM (2021) RF 600mm F4L IS USM (2021) RF 70–200mm F4 L IS USM (2021) RF 50mm F1.8 STM (2020) RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM (2020) RF 100–500mm F4.5–7.1L IS USM (2020) RF 600mm F11 IS STM (2020) RF 800mm F11 IS STM (2020) RF 24–105mm F4–7.1 IS STM (2020) RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS (2019) RF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM (2019) RF 15–35mm F2.8 L IS USM (2019) RF 24–240mm F4–6.3 IS USM (2019) RF 24–70mm F2.8L IS USM (2019) RF 85mm F1.2 L USM (2019) RF 28–70mm F2 L USM (2018) RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM (2018) RF 24–105mm F4L IS USM (2018) RF 50mm F1.2 L USM (2018) NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II (2026) NIKKOR Z 24–105mm f/4–7.1 (2026) NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR (2025) NIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7 (2025) NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II (2025) NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ (2025) NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S (2025) NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 (2024) NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4 (2024) NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR (2024) NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena (2023) NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S (2023) NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR (2023) NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 (2023) NIKKOR Z DX 24mm f/1.7 (2023) NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR (2023) NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 (2023) NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S (2023) NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S (2022) NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 (2022) NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S (2022) NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S (2022) NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S (2022) NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 (2022) NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S (2021) NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S (2021) NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR (2021) NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 (2021) NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (2021) NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S (2021) NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 (2021) NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S (2020) NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S (2020) NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 (2020) NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S (2020) NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR (2020) NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S (2020) NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR (2019) NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR (2019) NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct (2019) NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1.8 S (2019) NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S (2019) NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S (2019) NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S (2019) NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S (2018) NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S (2018) NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S (2018) AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR (2018) AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR (2018) AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E ED (2017) AF-S NIKKOR 70–200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR (2016) AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED (2016) AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 200–500mm f/5.6E ED VR (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.8G ED (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED (2014) AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR (2014) AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–300mm f/3.5–6.3G ED VR (2014) AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G ED (2014) AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR (2013) AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR (2013) AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.8G (2012) AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G (2012) AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G (2011) AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G (2011) AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G (2010) AF-S NIKKOR 24–120mm f/4G ED VR (2010) AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G (2010) AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED (2010) AF-S NIKKOR 16–35mm f/4G ED VR (2010) AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G (2009) AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G (2008) AF-S NIKKOR 14–24mm f/2.8G ED (2007) FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS (2026) FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS (2026) FE 8–14mm F3.5 Fisheye G (2026) FE 100–400mm F5.6–8 OSS (2026) FE 100–400mm F4.5 GM OSS (2026) FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS II (2026) FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS (2025) FE 50–150mm F2 GM (2025) FE 16mm F1.8 G (2025) FE 400–800mm F6.3–8 G OSS (2025) FE 28–70mm F2 GM (2024) FE 85mm F1.4 GM II (2024) E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS II (2024) FE 16-25mm F2.8 G (2024) FE 24-50mm F2.8 G (2024) FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS (2024) FE 16–35mm F2.8 GM II (2023) FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II (2023) FE 50mm F1.4 GM (2023) FE 20-70mm F4 G (2023) E 11mm F1.8 (2022) E 15mm F1.4 G (2022) E PZ 10-20mm F4 G (2022) FE 24–70mm F2.8 GM II (2022) FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G (2022) FE 70–200mm F2.8 GM OSS II (2021) FE 14mm F1.8 GM (2021) FE 24mm F2.8 G (2021) FE 40mm F2.5 G (2021) FE 50mm F1.2 GM (2021) FE 50mm F2.5 G (2021) FE 35mm F1.4 GM (2021) FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 (2020) FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM (2020) FE 20mm F1.8 G (2020) E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS (2019) E 16-55mm F2.8 G (2019) FE 35mm F1.8 (2019) FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS (2019) FE 600mm F4 GM OSS (2019) FE 135mm F1.8 GM (2019) FE 24mm F1.4 GM (2018) FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS (2018) E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS (2018) FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS (2017) FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (2017) FE 12-24mm F4 G (2017) FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM (2017) FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS (2017) FE 85mm F1.8 (2017) E PZ 18-110mm F4 G OSS (2016) FE 50mm F2.8 Macro (2016) FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS (2016) Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA (2016) FE 50mm F1.8 (2016) FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS (2016) FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM (2016) FE 85mm F1.4 GM (2016) FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS (2015) Distagon T* FE 35mm F1.4 ZA (2015) FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS (2015) FE 28mm F2 (2015) FE PZ 28-135mm F4 G OSS (2014) Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS (2014) FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS (2014) Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS (2014) E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS (2013) Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA (2013) 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM II (2013) Sonnar T* FE 35mm F2.8 ZA (2013) Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS (2013) Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM (2013) E 20mm F2.8 (2013) E 10-18mm F4 OSS (2012) E 35mm F1.8 OSS (2012) E PZ 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS (2012) E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE (2012) E 50mm F1.8 OSS (2011) Sonnar T* E 24mm F1.8 ZA (2011) DT 16–50mm F2.8 SSM (2011) E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS (2011) E 30mm F3.5 Macro (2011) DT 35mm F1.8 SAM (2010) E 16mm F2.8 (2010) DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM (2009) DT 50mm F1.8 SAM (2009) Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM (2009) Vario-Sonnar T* 24–70mm F2.8 ZA SSM (2008) Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16–80mm F3.5–4.5 ZA (2007) Planar T* 85mm F1.4 ZA (2006) Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA (2006) 70–200mm F2.8 G (2006) 50mm F1.4 (2006) 50mm F2.8 Macro (2006)
Mount Canon EF
Focal length 50 mm
Max aperture f/1.4
Stabilisation No
Weight 290 g What reviewers say Both tests value the compact size, quiet autofocus and sharpness when stopped down, while noting reduced contrast, soft corners and shading at f/1.4. The Digital Picture describes the wide-open image as soft and dreamy; Photozone finds very good central resolution. Both find good value and decent construction, though Photozone highlights out-of-focus fringing.
From the-digital-picture.com , photozone.de and photozone.de
Optics
Lens type Prime
Focal length 50 mm
Maximum aperture f/1.4
Minimum aperture f/22
Optical construction Seven elements in six groups
Special elements Two high-refraction glass elements according to Canon Camera Museum
Coatings Super Spectra coating according to Canon UK
Diaphragm Eight blades; Canon UK's store describes a circular diaphragm, while Photozone finds angular highlights when stopped down
Angle of view 46° diagonal, 40° horizontal and 27° vertical Mount and compatibility
Mounts Canon EF
Image circle Full frame
Compatibility Canon EF full-frame and APS-C cameras Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus Yes
Minimum focus distance 0.45 m
Maximum magnification 0.15×
Optical stabilisation No
Autofocus detail Micro USM with mechanical full-time manual focus; Canon's manual permits adjustment after One Shot AF while holding the shutter button halfway
Focus distance detail Overall linear extension focusing according to Canon USA; front filter thread does not rotate according to The Digital Picture
Magnification detail EF12 II extension tube gives 0.24–0.39×; EF25 II gives 0.53–0.68× according to Canon UK
Stabilisation detail No image stabilisation according to The Digital Picture's exact-model specification table Design
Dust and moisture resistant No
Filter diameter 58 mm
Maximum diameter 73.8 mm
Length 50.5 mm
Weight 290 g
Controls AF/MF switch, focusing ring, distance scale and infrared index according to Canon's manual
Weather resistance No weather sealing according to The Digital Picture's exact-model specification table
Dimensions detail 73.8 mm diameter × 50.5 mm length in the retracted state according to Canon UK; Canon's manual measures length from the mount surface to the front, with caps adding 21.5 mm
Weight detail 290 g for the lens only according to Canon's manual
Lens hood Optional ES-71 II hood; reversible for storage according to Canon's manual
In the box Lens, E-58II cap, Lens Dust Cap E and user manual according to Canon UK's store
Release detail Canon Camera Museum records June 1993 marketing Pros and cons Pros + f/1.4 maximum aperture+ Full-time manual focus+ 290 g lens weightCons − No optical stabilisation− No weather sealing
