Canon 50mm Lens 1.8 vs 1.4

Canon 50mm 1.8 vs 1.4 lenses – if you own a Canon DSLR, are looking to buy a brand-new lens, or just want to upgrade lenses, and are stuck between these two lenses, trust me, you’re not alone. Both lenses almost look the same and are called the “nifty fifty.” Both these lenses promise that dreamy, blurred background you always keep seeing in professional photos. Then what’s the reason the Canon 50mm 1.8 lens is more expensive than the Canon 50mm 1.4 lens?

In this article, I will break down the real difference between the Canon 50mm f/1.8 and the Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens. At the end of this article, I will also share my honest opinion on which one you should actually buy. 

If you don’t have time to read the whole article and want to understand the quick differences between the Canon 50mm 1.8 vs 1.4 lenses, here is my honest opinion. 50mm f/1.4 lens is a professional-level lens, especially for portraits with a sublime depth of field, but it is expensive. On the flip side, the 50mm f/1.8 lens is excellent for daily use and value for money. 

Also read: 5 Cheapest DSLR Cameras in India

What do 50mm and f/1.8 vs f/1.4 mean?

50mm is the focal length. It shows how zoomed in the lens naturally is. A 50mm lens roughly matches what your eyes see. Therefore, photos taken with it look natural, not stretched.

f/1.8 and f/1.4 are aperture numbers. Aperture is similar to the pupil of your eye. A wider pupil lets in more light. In camera lenses, the smaller the f-number, the wider the opening. It means f/1.4 opens wider than f/1.8, so it lets in more light. 

And that’s the secret behind this Canon 50mm lens 1.8 vs 1.4 debate. 

Canon 50mm 1.8 vs 1.4 Lens: Key Differences

Let’s do a side-by-side comparison of these lenses. 

If, from the above comparison of Canon 50mm 1.8 vs 1.4, you would ask me, then I would say the clear winner is the Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens. But the features compared above might not apply to you because of your photography style. So, I would suggest you look at the complete comparison before you settle down on any. 

Also read: Best DSLR Cameras Under 1 Lakh In India 

Build Quality: Canon 50mm 1.8 vs 1.4 lens

The f/1.8 is lightweight, as its body is plastic-heavy. Everything is plastic. And, honestly, it will not give you that premium look and feel in hand. However, it still takes fantastic photos.

On the other hand, the f/1.4 lens is more solid, heavier, and you can easily hold it in your palm. It gives you a feeling of a proper lens. So, if you care about how your lens looks and feels while shooting, the f/1.4 is a clear winner.

Autofocus: STM vs USM

The f/1.8 uses an STM motor. It is smooth, quiet, and an excellent choice for shooting videos because you barely hear the focus hunting. 

Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens uses a Micro USM motor. In it, autofocus is much quicker, especially in good light. 

You can experience the difference clearly in the image below. 

If you want to use it for everyday portraits and street photography, both are fine. 

Image Quality

Here is where the Canon 50mm 1.8 vs 1.4 lens comparison gets more interesting. 

Both lenses are sharp, and most people won’t be able to spot a huge sharpness difference during regular daylight shots. The real difference is visible in bokeh and low light. 

Bokeh – Suppose you take the exact same portrait, same subject, same background and click once with f/1.8 and once with f/1.4; the f/1.4 shots will have a slightly softer and dreamier background blur. The reason behind it is that its aperture opens wider. The subject pops a little more. You won’t notice the major difference, but in portraits the difference will be clearly visible.

Low Light – Here the f/1.4 clearly wins because it lets in more light so you can easily shoot indoors, at dusk, or in dim light. You will get cleaner shots in low light with f/1.4. 

Portraits

If you ask me to rate the Canon 50mm 1.8 vs 1.4 lens on the basis of portraits, then both are good for portraits, but if you want it for professional portrait work or want extra creamy background separation, I will give f/14 9 out of 10.  

If you want a lens for casual portraits, family photos, or content on social media, the f/1.8 is a good pick and saves you a lot of money. 

Also read: Best Budget Action Cameras For Travel, Vlogging And Adventures

Price Comparison

If you’re wondering whether the f/1.4 is worth the extra money, then my take on this is: yes, if budget is not a concern and you’re a professional photographer, then the price is really worth it. 

However, if you want to use it for daily photography or you’re not a working professional photographer, this price is not worth. The f/1.4 costs almost three times more than the f/1.8. So, if you’re a beginner, a student, a vlogger, or just someone who loves photography as a hobby, the f/1.8 gives you 90% of the experience at a fraction of the price. 

Canon 50mm 1.4 Lens: Pros and Cons

Canon 50mm 1.8 Lens: Pros and Cons

Which One Should You Buy?

When trying to decide between f/1.8 and f/1.4, people generally think about the price as the differentiator point. Of course, price matters a lot bt I would suggest you go through the entire discussion we’ve made above so you can make the informed decision. 

Either way, f/1.8 and f/1.4 are both great, but which one is best-fit for you depends on your budget and requirements. 

You should go for the f/1.8 lens if you’re a beginner photographer. It is a cheap and sharp lens. You can upgrade later if you feel limited. 

You should choose the f/1.4 lens if you’re a low-light shooter or event photographer because this lens can handle low light better. 

Also read: Best Camera Lens For Portrait Photography: Guide For Beginners

Final Verdict: Canon 50mm 1.8 vs 1.4 lens

Now coming to my honest opinion. If you ask me, for 8 out of 10 people, the Canon 50mm f/1.8 is the smarter buy because it’s good value for money, lightweight and easily portable. It offers good image quality for casual photography

The f/1.4 is also a great one. It feels more solid, gives you a premium feel,  and focuses a bit quicker. Moreover, it gives you that extra bit of blur and light-gathering ability. But for most everyday users, that extra performance doesn’t justify paying nearly three times more.

So my final take: you should start with the f/1.8. If down the line you feel like you’re missing that extra low-light punch or creamier bokeh, then upgrade to the f/1.4. Don’t overspend on your first prime lens.

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That’s all from my side on the debate of Canon 50mm 1.8 vs 1.4 lenses. Hopefully, the above discussion will help you choose the right one according to your needs because there is no right or wrong choice in this. It all depends on your budget, preferences, and needs. 

I also want to share my honest thoughts on buying the Canon 50mm lenses. Instead of spending your hard-earned money on a brand-new Canon 50mm lens, isn’t it a prudent choice to buy refurbished camera lenses on Cashify? You get the same lenses that are properly tested, certified, and at a much lower price. It’s a smart way to build your camera kit without burning a hole in your pocket. So, before you decide to buy the new lenses, take a quick look at Cashify’s refurbished DSLR camera lenses. 

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FAQs

1. Does the Canon 50mm 1.4 lens offer image stabilisation?

No, the Canon 50mm 1.4 lens does not offer image stabilisation, and I don’t think Canon will build a 50mm lens with image stabilisation because it requires too many moving parts and it is also not necessary because its wide aperture lets you shoot at a fast shutter speed even in low light conditions. 

1. What is the main difference between f/1.8 and f/1.4?

The f/14 has a wider aperture, so it lets in more light and gives slightly smoother background blur. Also, it is more expensive than f/1.8.

1. Is it worth upgrading from f/1.8 to f/1.4?

Yes, it is worth upgrading from f/1.8 to f/1.4 if you regularly shoot in low light or want slightly better bokeh for professional portrait work. If you want to do casual work, then the upgrade is not essential.