Just posted! Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM lens review

In the second instalment of our latest series of lens reviews, we focus on Canon's 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 Sigma's brand new 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM which we reviewed last month?

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 HSM	Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM	Nikon AF-Nikkor 50mm F1.4 D	Pentax smc P-FA 50mm F1.4
Street price	$500	$325	$290	$200
Maximum format size	35mm full frame	35mm full frame	35mm full frame	35mm full frame
Focal length	50mm	50mm	50mm	50mm
35mm equivalent focal length (APS-C)	• 75mm (1.5x) • 80mm (1.6x) • 85mm (1.7x)	80mm	75mm	75mm
Diagonal Angle of view (FF)	47º	47º	47º	47º
Diagonal Angle of view (APS-C)	31º	31º	31º	31º
Maximum aperture	F1.4	F1.4	F1.4	F1.4
Minimum aperture	F16	F22	F16	F22
Lens 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	8	7	8
Minimum focus	0.45m	0.45m	0.45m	0.45m
Maximum magnification	0.14x	0.15x	0.15x	0.15x
AF 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 body
Focus method	Unit, internal to barrel	Unit	Unit	Unit
Image stabilization	• None	• None	• None	• None
Filter thread	• 77mm • Does not rotate on focus	• 58mm • Does not rotate on focus	• 52mm • Does not rotate on focus	• 49mm • Does not rotate on focus
Supplied accessories	• Front and rear caps • Hood • Soft Case	• Front and rear caps	• Front and rear caps	• Front and rear caps
Weight	505 g (17.8 oz)	290g (10.2 oz)	230g (8.1 oz)	220g (7.8 oz)
Dimensions	84.5mm 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 Mount	Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sigma, Sony	Canon EF only	Nikon F only	Pentax K only

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