Lens choice is an important factor for every photographer. 50mm and 85mm Lenses are the two most popular Lenses, and beginners often get confused about which one to choose. Here we bring you the comparison for the 50mm vs 85mm lens.
Knowing their differences will help you to decide the suitable one for you.
This article will discuss the similarities and differences between 500mm and 85 lenses.
Comparison Between 50mm and 85mm Lens
Check out the comparison between the 50mm Lens vs. 85mm Lens with differences in their features and uses to understand which camera you need to capture images.
Focal Length
Focal length is the most obvious difference between 50mm and 85mm Lenses. 50mm cover fewer details than 85mm, so you must go closer to the subject to capture it. However, it depends on how you like to capture photos. 50mmLens is perfect for photojournalism and documentary photography. The focal length is 75mm on an APS-C camera, making it best for street photography. o 50mm is better for a close-up angle.
Capturing from a reasonable distance can open other benefits like wild photography and capturing fast-moving objects. A longer focal length means a wider scene. 85mm is wider than 50 mm, so you don’t have to go closer to the object. It can capture all details, and the thing will have the perfect background.
Field of View
50mm and 85mm do not take up the same amount of space when shooting. Their depth of field is different. 85mm has a narrow depth of field, then 50mmLens. 85mmLens offers better background Blur that you can capture from a distance. Also, you can capture different situations. 85mm provides a creamer background with better texture even with a smaller aperture number. It utilizes the experience and transforms it more appealing scene.
The main object will look appealing, but you need help capturing all details in a frame. However, capturing all details in one shot with a 50mmmusts harder. 50mm lenses also offer a wider field of view, but you have to go close to the subject.
Distance from Subject
Some shot requires taking from a long distance, like wildlife photography. Street photography or human photography is better for a shorter length. Here comes the difference between 50mm and 85 mm Lenses. It depends on which Lens is better suited for you. People prefer 50mmLens for street photography or when the picture will have one main object.
Lens Distortion
They both have different lens distortion, such as, in 50mm, the main object should not cover the edge of the frame; try to capture from a little away. So the main object will appear bigger in the photo or video, even at a low angle. For example, if you want to take a picture of your friend, stay within a reasonable distance to capture a half image because part of the head or shoulder will cut in the picture.
For an 85mm lens, keep a distance between you and your friend to get your friend properly fit the frame. It’s easy to capture heat to shoulder with an 85 mm lens.
Background Compression
The background of the 85mm lens will be far blurrier than the 50mm Lens. The main object will appear bigger, and all the focus will be only on the thing.
The background will be less blurry in a 50 mm lens, and the main object will be slightly smaller. The background won’t look creamier, and the picture will have a slightly larger field depth. Even if you capture the same image at the same distance with 50mm and 85mm lenses, the background will be more shiner in a 50mm lens. And the main object Will look closer to the frame in an 85mm lens. So if you want to capture a picture with a blurred background where other elements are almost invisible, choose 85mmLens.
Indoor and Outdoor Photography
We have mentioned earlier that 50mm does not require much space to capture photos. So for indoor photography, 50mm lenses are better. 85 lens has a longer focal length, so you will be uncomfortable focusing on the object in indoor photography.
You will have plenty of options to use your 85mmLens outdoors. Both lenses are good for outdoor photography. 85 mm is good for a slightly less-than-amazing location as it compresses the place when you cannot tell about the final images. Itrs are also good for remote locations like a tree or a part of the flower garden.
Movement
if you want to capture a moving object or move around freely,50 mm is best for it as it is handy when movement happens. 50mm is also useful for capturing genuine moments to compose anything.
With 85mm, you have to take several steps back to take the same shots and take an extra few seconds. So capturing any moving object or right moment will be slightly tricky with 85mm.
50mm Lens vs 85mm Lens Feature Comparison
| Feature | 50mm Lens | 85mm Lens |
|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 50mm | 85mm |
| Best Use | Portrait and street photography | Portraits, wildlife |
| View of Subject | Reduced to 50% of natural size | Magnified by 1.6x original size |
| Suitability for dim lighting | Suitable | Suitable |
| Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.8 |
| Effective Focal Length on APS-C Camera | 75mm | – |
| Edge-to-Edge Sharpness | Better | Good |
| Autofocus Speed | Slower | Faster |
| Background Blur | Less | More |
| Weight | Lighter | Heavier |
| Price | Cheaper | More Expensive |
FAQ on 50mm and 85mm Lenses
Do you need both 50mm and 85mm?
It depends on your needs and preferences or the types of photographs you take. Both 50mm and 85mm lenses offer different options and advantages and are suitable for different types of photography. A 50mm lens is versatile and can take a wide range of photographs. These lenses are ideal for street and photojournalism and other outdoor photography of daily uses.
On the other hand, an 85mm lens is perfect for portrait photography and can provide excellent background blur from an object. Ultimately, the need for both lenses will depend on the types of photography you are interested in and the style you want to achieve in your work. It may be worth having both lenses in your kit to have more options and versatility in your photography.
Is 50mm or 85mm better for family portraits?
It depends on personal preference and the shooting situation. A “normal” 50mm lens has a field of view similar to the human eye. This makes family portraits more natural and doesn’t distort facial features.
However, a medium telephoto lens like an 85mm creates a shallow depth of field that isolates the subject and blurs the background, making portraits more flattering.
The narrower field of view may require the photographer to move back from the group to get everyone in the frame, making group shots less convenient.
Advantages of 50mm Lens
- 50mmLens has better speed with a wide aperture so that you can use it in low light conditions.
- The depth of field can make the object appealing
- The Lens is compact, good for travel, and requires a simple setup
- Picture quality is good enough
Advantages of 85mm Lens
- The picture will have less distortion. Easy to capture full-length portrait
- The depth of field is deep and detailed.
- The focal length is great for portrait photography
Disadvantages of 50mm
- The Lens cannot capture all the elements in a frame
- It does not have zoom features. You have to move closer to capture anything
Disadvantages of 85mm
- One big downside is that it is difficult to shoot close-range photos because the focal length is only suitable for long-range images.
- The close-up shots won’t be detailed much
Last Few Words
Both 50 mm and 85 mm lens has their specialty and uses for different sectors of photography. We have mentioned the basic comparison of features for the two lenses. Hope you find the writing helpful and informative. Stay with us for more updates.
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