Canon 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.2: Which is Better?

Photography Tips

No matter what camera you use, the 50mm lens, also known as the “Nifty Fifty,” is a must-have for photographers. The perspective it provides is very close to what we see with our eyes, making it a versatile focal length. This is why almost every photographer owns a 50mm f/1.8 and why every lens manufacturer has an affordable version of this lens. But if you are ready to pay a premium, you can also get a 50mm f/1.2. Is it worth paying that extra amount for an additional stop of light? Do you really get something more? In today’s video, professional wedding and portrait photographer, Vanessa Joy with Adorama compares Canon’s 50mm f/1.8 lens with their f/1.2 version. Let’s see how these lenses stack up against each other:

Joy takes a bunch of photos with the same settings and under the same lighting conditions using the f/1.8 and f/1.2 lens to compare the images and the results are quite interesting. At first, the images appear almost identical with very subtle differences, if any. However, upon close inspection, you can see that the f/1.2 lens performs a little better in the shadow region and the clarity is a little better as well.

The biggest quality difference you’ll notice is when using the lens in a low-light condition. Since the f/1.2 has a one-stop advantage over the f/1.8, it will focus faster thanks to the greater amount of light that it can collect.

“If you’re a photographer that’s looking to buy one of your first prime lenses, the 1.8 is not a bad choice.”

To see how the images compare against each other, be sure to watch the complete video. This will give you a much better idea of how these lenses render the images.