Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM § 03 Head to head
Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM vs Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2
Canon 35mm f/2 is 367 g lighter. Zeiss 35mm f/2 has a smaller filter thread.
Both lenses are made for the Canon EF mount: the Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM is a 35mm f/2 prime, and the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 is a 35mm f/2 prime. On paper the Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM 
Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 01
Key differences
Why is the Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM better than the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2?
- 367 g lighter (335 g vs 702 g)
- 20 mm shorter (63 mm vs 83 mm long)
- Focuses 6 cm closer (0.24 m vs 0.3 m)
- Has optical image stabilization
Why is the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 better than the Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM?
- Smaller filter thread (58 mm vs 67 mm)
- Newer design (2015 vs 2012)
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Which should you buy?
- street For street photography, the Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM has the edge: it is 367 g lighter to carry.
- travel For travel, the Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM has the edge: it is 367 g lighter to carry.
- low-light For low-light shooting, the Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM has the edge: it has optical image stabilization.
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Specification
| Specification | Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM | Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 35mm | 35mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2 | f/2 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 335 g (11.82 oz) ◆ | 702 g (24.76 oz) |
| Dimensions | 78 x 63 mm | 77 x 83 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.24 m (9.45 inches) ◆ | 0.3 m (11.81 inches) |
| Image stabilization | Yes ◆ | No |
| Weather sealing | — | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 8 | — |
| Optical construction | 10 elements / 8 groups | 9 elements / 7 groups |
| Filter size | 67 mm | 58 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Canon EF | Canon EF, Nikon F |
| Released | 2012 | 2015 |
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Size
- A · Canon
- B · Carl
- 63 × 78 mm
- 83 × 77 mm
The Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 is 20 mm longer and 367 g heavier than the Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM.
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Sample frames
Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM
Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM or the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2?
- The Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM weighs 335 g, 367 g less than the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 (702 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM or the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2?
- The Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM focuses down to 0.24 m, against 0.3 m for the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2.
- Do the Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM and the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 have image stabilization?
- Only the Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM has optical image stabilization.
- Is the Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM or the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 better for street photography?
- For street photography, the Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM has the edge: it is 367 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM or the Carl Zeiss Milvus 35 mm f/2 better for travel?
- For travel, the Canon EF 35 mm f/2 IS USM has the edge: it is 367 g lighter to carry.
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