Canon EF 85 mm f/1.4L IS USM § 03 Head to head
Canon EF 85 mm f/1.4L IS USM vs Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4
Canon 85mm f/1.4 is 190 g lighter. Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 focuses 5 cm closer.
The Canon EF 85 mm f/1.4L IS USM is an 85mm f/1.4 prime, and the Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 is an 85mm f/1.4 prime. On paper the Canon EF 85 mm f/1.4L IS USM comes out ahead, 6 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Canon EF 85 mm f/1.4L IS USM 
Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 01
Key differences
Why is the Canon EF 85 mm f/1.4L IS USM better than the Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4?
- 190 g lighter (950 g vs 1140 g)
- 33 mm shorter (105.4 mm vs 138 mm long)
- Has optical image stabilization
- Is weather sealed
- Smaller filter thread (77 mm vs 86 mm)
- Newer design (2017 vs 2014)
Why is the Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 better than the Canon EF 85 mm f/1.4L IS USM?
- Focuses 5 cm closer (0.8 m vs 0.85 m)
- Has a physical aperture ring
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Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Canon EF 85 mm f/1.4L IS USM has the edge: it is 190 g lighter to carry.
- low-light For low-light shooting, the Canon EF 85 mm f/1.4L IS USM has the edge: it has optical image stabilization.
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Specification
| Specification | Canon EF 85 mm f/1.4L IS USM | Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 85mm | 85mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.4 | f/1.4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full Frame |
| Weight | 950 g (33.51 oz) ◆ | 1140 g (2.51 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 105.4 x 88.6 mm | 101 mm (diameter) x 138 mm (length) |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.85 m (33.46 inches) | 0.8 m (31.5 inches) ◆ |
| Maximum magnification | — | 0.12x |
| Image stabilization | Yes ◆ | No |
| Weather sealing | Yes ◆ | No |
| Aperture ring | No | Yes |
| Aperture blades | 9 | 9 |
| Optical construction | 14 elements / 10 groups | 11 elements in 9 groups (including 1 aspherical element and 6 anomalous partial dispersion elements) |
| Filter size | 77 mm ◆ | 86 mm |
| Lens mount | Canon EF | Canon EF, Nikon F |
| Released | 2017 | 2014 |
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Size
- A · Canon
- B · Zeiss
- 105.4 × 88.6 mm
- 138 × 101 mm
The Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 is 33 mm longer and 190 g heavier than the Canon EF 85 mm f/1.4L IS USM.
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Sample frames
Canon EF 85 mm f/1.4L IS USM
Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Canon EF 85 mm f/1.4L IS USM or the Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4?
- The Canon EF 85 mm f/1.4L IS USM weighs 950 g, 190 g less than the Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 (1140 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Canon EF 85 mm f/1.4L IS USM or the Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4?
- The Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 focuses down to 0.8 m, against 0.85 m for the Canon EF 85 mm f/1.4L IS USM.
- Do the Canon EF 85 mm f/1.4L IS USM and the Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 have image stabilization?
- Only the Canon EF 85 mm f/1.4L IS USM has optical image stabilization.
- Is the Canon EF 85 mm f/1.4L IS USM or the Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Canon EF 85 mm f/1.4L IS USM has the edge: it is 190 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Canon EF 85 mm f/1.4L IS USM or the Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 better for low-light shooting?
- For low-light shooting, the Canon EF 85 mm f/1.4L IS USM has the edge: it has optical image stabilization.
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Other comparisons
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- Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 EF vs Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4
- Samyang Xeen CF 85 mm T1.5 vs Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4
- Samyang Xeen 85 mm T1.5 vs Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4
- Nikon Nikkor AF-S 85 mm f/1.4G vs Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4
- Samyang AE 85 mm f/1.4 AS IF UMC vs Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4