Compare lenses

Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM vs Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM and the Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD side by side, computed from this guide's catalogue.

Which to pick

Pick the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM if you want a brighter f/1.4 (0.7 stops more light), for dim light and softer backgrounds. Pick the Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD if you want a fit on more cameras (39 against 22 in this guide).

Still torn? Ask the guide about the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM and the Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD

Specs side by side

Rows that differ are in full colour; the better value is marked where one is better by any measure.
Spec	Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM	Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD
Maker	Canon	Tamron
Focal length	85mm (prime)	85mm (prime)
Full-frame equivalent	85mm	85mm
Maximum aperture	f/1.4brighter	f/1.8
Made for	Full frame	Full frame
Mounts	Canon EF	Canon EF, Nikon F
Stabilised	yes	yes
Autofocus	yes	yes
Cameras it fits	22 in this guide	39 in this guidefits more cameras

Focal range, in full-frame terms

Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM: 85mm.

Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD: 85mm.

Aperture

Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM: f/1.4 wide open.

Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD: f/1.8 wide open.

Each opening drawn to scale against f/1.4: a smaller f-number lets in more light and blurs the background more.

Field of view

How wide each sees, at each end, on the sensor it was made for.

Cameras they fit

22 cameras in this guide take both, so either works on the same body. In all, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM fits 22 and the Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD 39.