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Canon EF 35mm F 1 4L USM Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price:~£880Lens mount:Canon EFMaximum focal length:35 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):1.4Optical image stabilization:noMaximum angle of view:63 °

Canon EF 35mm F 1 4L USM Review: Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Camera lenses category and whether it is worth buying.

6.8

Overall score

Score
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the camera lens's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best camera lenses on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 54% of models
Score components

80%

6.4

Technical score

20%

8.3

User score

â–¼Worse than 54% of camera-lenses
6.4

Technical score

Technical score
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 56% of models
Score components

35%

7.3

Optics & Aperture

24%

6.7

Build & Handling

20%

6.5

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

â–¼Worse than 56% of camera-lenses
8.3

User score

User score
8.3/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
Score components

70%

8.6

User ratings

30%

7.7

Number of reviews

Based on 429 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–¼Worse than 51% of camera-lenses
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Best prices

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of camera lens Canon EF 35mm F 1 4L USM

Technical score
Technical score
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 56% of models
Score components:

35%

7.3

Optics & Aperture

24%

6.7

Build & Handling

20%

6.5

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

6.4
User score
User score
8.3/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
Score components

70%

8.6

User ratings

30%

7.7

Number of reviews

Based on 429 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
8.3
Popularity
Popularity
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 55% of models
Popularity:
Canon EF 35mm F 1 4L USM has a popularity score of 7.7 points, which is higher than 55.4% of camera lenses.
7.7
Value for money
Value for money
6.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the camera lens's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you want to know how much overall quality you get for the price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
Score components:

60%

6.8

Overall score

40%

5.9

Price

6.5
Lens type
prime
Lens mount
Canon EF
Sensor format coverage
Full-frame
Filter thread size
72 mm
Teleconverter compatibility
no
Teleconverter compatibility
no
â–¼ Worse than 15% of models
This camera lens does not support teleconverters. 15.3% of camera lenses support teleconverters.
Only unofficial third-party options are mentioned.
Show more
Minimum focal length
35 mm
Maximum focal length
35 mm
Optical zoom
N/A
Maximum angle of view
63 °
Minimum angle of view
63 °
Show more
Focus motor
ring USM
Minimum focus distance
0.3 m
Minimum focus distance
0.3 m
â–² Better than 48% of models
Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
This camera lens focuses as close as 0.3 m, which is closer than 48.3% of camera lenses and equal to 7.9% of camera lenses.
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.18xx
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.18x
â–¼ Worse than 54% of models
Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
This camera lens reaches a reproduction ratio of 0.18x, which is lower than 54.3% of camera lenses and equal to 2.4% of camera lenses.
Full-time manual focus
yes
Full-time manual focus
yes
â–² Better than 32% of models
This camera lens supports full-time manual focus. 68.3% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Internal focusing
yes
Internal focusing
yes
â–² Better than 16% of models
This camera lens supports internal focusing. 83.6% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Show more
Optical image stabilization
no
Optical image stabilization
no
â–¼ Worse than 29% of models
This camera lens does not support optical image stabilization. 29.1% of camera lenses include optical image stabilization.
Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
N/A
Weight
610 g
Weight
610 g
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
This camera lens weighs 610 g, which is heavier than 60.6% of camera lenses and equal to the weight of 0.5% of camera lenses.
Lens length
86 mm
Lens length
86 mm
â–² Better than 59% of models
Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
This camera lens is 86 mm long, which is shorter than 58.5% of camera lenses and equal to the length of 0.5% of camera lenses.
Lens diameter
79 mm
Lens diameter
79 mm
â–¼ Worse than 56% of models
Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
This camera lens has a diameter of 79 mm, which is wider than 56% of camera lenses and equal to that of 1% of camera lenses.
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
This camera lens does not support weather sealing. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
Metal mount
yes
Metal mount
yes
â–² Better than 6% of models
This camera lens uses a metal lens mount. 93.6% of camera lenses use a metal lens mount.
Show more
DxOMark overall score
?
DxOMark sharpness score
?
DxOMark transmission
?
DxOMark distortion
?
DxOMark vignetting
?
Show more

Canon EF 35mm F 1 4L USM vs the average camera lens

246810TotalMount & FormatOptics & ApertureFocus & ControlsStabilizationBuild & HandlingLab Scores
  • 1.4 lower f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    1.4
    â–² Better than 84% of models
    Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
    This camera lens has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/1.4 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    1.4 vs 2.8
  • Has fluorine coating
    Fluorine coating
    yes
    â–² Better than 67% of models
    This camera lens has a fluorine coating, the average camera lens does not. 32.6% of camera lenses use a fluorine coating.
  • Has focus distance scale
    Focus distance scale
    yes
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This camera lens has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
  • 6.25 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    86 mm
    â–² Better than 59% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (86 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    86 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 1.4 lower f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    1.4
    â–² Better than 84% of models
    Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
    This camera lens has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/1.4 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    1.4 vs 2.8
  • Has focus distance scale
    Focus distance scale
    yes
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This camera lens has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
  • Has fluorine coating
    Fluorine coating
    yes
    â–² Better than 67% of models
    This camera lens has a fluorine coating, the average camera lens does not. 32.6% of camera lenses use a fluorine coating.
  • 6.25 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    86 mm
    â–² Better than 59% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (86 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    86 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • No rounded blades
    Rounded aperture blades
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
    This camera lens does not use rounded aperture blades, the average camera lens does. 87.8% of camera lenses use rounded aperture blades.
    8 rounded blades.
  • 1 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    8
    â–¼ Worse than 56% of models
    Market range: <7 – >9
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (8 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    8 vs 9
  • 2 fewer low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    0 vs 2
  • Older release date
    Release date
    1998
    â–¼ Worse than 97% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    December 1998
    1998 vs 2016
  • 1 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    1
    â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
    Market range: <0 – >3
    This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    1 vs 2
  • 100 g heavier
    Weight
    610 g
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is heavier than the average camera lens (610 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    610 g vs 510 g
  • 2 mm wider lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    79 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 56% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is wider than the average camera lens (79 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    79 mm vs 77 mm
  • 66% more expensive
    Canon EF 35mm F 1 4L USM is more expensive than the average camera lens (£880 vs £530).
    £880 vs £530
  • 6.1% worse value for money
    Canon EF 35mm F 1 4L USM has a worse value-for-money score than the average camera lens (6.49 vs 6.9).
    6.49 vs 6.89
  • No rounded blades
    Rounded aperture blades
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
    This camera lens does not use rounded aperture blades, the average camera lens does. 87.8% of camera lenses use rounded aperture blades.
    8 rounded blades.
  • 1 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    8
    â–¼ Worse than 56% of models
    Market range: <7 – >9
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (8 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    8 vs 9
  • 2 fewer low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    0 vs 2
  • 1 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    1
    â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
    Market range: <0 – >3
    This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    1 vs 2
  • 0.01 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.18 x
    â–¼ Worse than 54% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.2 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.18 x vs 0.192 x
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • Older release date
    Release date
    1998
    â–¼ Worse than 97% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    December 1998
    1998 vs 2016
  • 100 g heavier
    Weight
    610 g
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is heavier than the average camera lens (610 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    610 g vs 510 g
  • 2 mm wider lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    79 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 56% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is wider than the average camera lens (79 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    79 mm vs 77 mm

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

T
the-digital-picture.com
12/01/2005
Summary of the review
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM Lens Review
L
lenstip.com
29/05/2009
Summary of the review
Canon EF 35 mm f/1.4L USM review - LensTip.com
E
ephotozine.com
08/03/2011
Summary of the review
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM Interchangeable Lens Review
P
photozone.de
[N/A]
Summary of the review
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 USM L - Review / Test Report - OpticalLimits
K
kenrockwell.com
[N/A]
Summary of the review
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 LGo to product viewer dialog for this item. - Ken Rockwell
P
photozone.de
Keine Angabe
Summary of the review
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM Review and Test Report
(Translated)Show original
P
photozone.de
Keine Angabe
Summary of the review
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM Full-Frame Review and Lab Test
(Translated)Show original
D
dxomark.fr
01/12/1998
Summary of the review
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM - DxOMark Review
(Translated)Show original
D
digitalcamaralens.com
No especificada
Summary of the review
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM - Review and Analysis
(Translated)Show original
D
digitalcamaralens.com
No especificada
Summary of the review
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM - Review - Digital Camera Lens
(Translated)Show original
E
eoszine.nl
23/11/2015
Summary of the review
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II Review (Including Comparison with the Original EF 35mm 1.4L)
(Translated)Show original
N
nandoonline.com
10/05/2026
Summary of the review
Review: Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM
(Translated)Show original
P
photofacts.nl
08/01/2016
Summary of the review
Review: Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM (with an extensive retrospective on the original 35mm f/1.4L)
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on 429 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about Canon EF 35mm F 1 4L USM

  • Excellent build quality often described as 'built like a tank' with a professional-grade metal mount
  • Fast and silent autofocusing powered by a ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM)
  • Outstanding low-light performance due to the wide f/1.4 maximum aperture
  • Produces beautiful, smooth bokeh and shallow depth-of-field
  • High center sharpness even when shooting wide open
  • Compact and relatively lightweight for a professional L-series prime lens

What we don't like about Canon EF 35mm F 1 4L USM

  • Noticeable softness at the extreme corners and borders of the frame, especially at f/1.4
  • Lack of integrated weather sealing for protection against harsh environments
  • Prone to chromatic aberration (purple/green fringing) and vignetting at wide apertures
  • Reduced contrast when shooting directly into strong light sources
  • Expensive price point for an older lens design compared to newer alternatives

Verdict

The Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM is a professional wide-angle prime lens featuring a fast f/1.4 maximum aperture and an 8-blade diaphragm for exceptional low-light performance and smooth bokeh. Its optical design consists of 11 elements in 9 groups, including a ground and polished aspherical element to minimise spherical aberrations and a floating mechanism that maintains sharpness from its 0.3m minimum focus distance to infinity. Key pros include a robust L-series build with a metallic mount, high-speed and silent ring-type ultrasonic motor (USM) with full-time manual focus override, and high central resolution. However, notable cons include its lack of weather sealing, significant vignetting when shot wide open, and some visible chromatic aberration and softness at the edges before stopping down.

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