Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II § 03 Head to head
Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II vs Tamron SP 45 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD
Canon 50mm f/1.8 has a longer reach. Tamron 45mm f/1.8 has a wider field of view.
Both lenses are made for the Canon EF mount: the Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II is a 50mm f/1.8 prime, and the Tamron SP 45 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD is a 45mm f/1.8 prime. On paper the Tamron SP 45 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 4, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II 
Tamron SP 45 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD 01
Key differences
Why is the Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II better than the Tamron SP 45 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD?
- Longer reach (50mm vs 45mm)
- 410 g lighter (130 g vs 540 g)
- 39 mm shorter (41 mm vs 80.4 mm long)
- Smaller filter thread (52 mm vs 67 mm)
Why is the Tamron SP 45 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD better than the Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II?
- Wider field of view (45mm vs 50mm)
- Focuses 16 cm closer (0.29 m vs 0.45 m)
- Has optical image stabilization
- More aperture blades (9 vs 5)
- Newer design (2015 vs 1990)
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Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II has the edge: it is 410 g lighter to carry.
- low-light For low-light shooting, the Tamron SP 45 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD has the edge: it has optical image stabilization.
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Specification
| Specification | Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II | Tamron SP 45 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 50mm | 45mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 130 g (4.59 oz) ◆ | 540 g (19.05 oz) |
| Dimensions | 68.2 x 41 mm | 91.7 x 80.4 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.45 m (17.72 inches) | 0.29 m (11.42 inches) ◆ |
| Image stabilization | No | Yes ◆ |
| Weather sealing | — | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 5 | 9 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 6 elements / 5 groups | 10 elements / 8 groups |
| Filter size | 52 mm ◆ | 67 mm |
| Lens mount | Canon EF | Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A |
| Released | 1990 | 2015 |
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Size
- A · Canon
- B · Tamron
- 41 × 68.2 mm
- 80.4 × 91.7 mm
The Tamron SP 45 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD is 39 mm longer and 410 g heavier than the Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II.
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Sample frames
Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II
Tamron SP 45 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II or the Tamron SP 45 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD?
- The Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II weighs 130 g, 410 g less than the Tamron SP 45 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD (540 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II or the Tamron SP 45 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD?
- The Tamron SP 45 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD focuses down to 0.29 m, against 0.45 m for the Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II.
- Do the Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II and the Tamron SP 45 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD have image stabilization?
- Only the Tamron SP 45 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD has optical image stabilization.
- Is the Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II or the Tamron SP 45 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II has the edge: it is 410 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II or the Tamron SP 45 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD better for low-light shooting?
- For low-light shooting, the Tamron SP 45 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD has the edge: it has optical image stabilization.
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