Canon own-brand lenses have been facing ever-stiffer competition of late, especially from Sigma and Tamron. Portrait primes for full-frame portraiture are no exception, as there are two excellent, recently launched 85mm lenses from the independents.

Fast f/1.4 aperture rating; Image stabilization; Premium build and image quality

Expensive to buy; Quite hefty for an 85mm f/1.4 lens

With a superb combination of optics, performance, advanced features and a durable design, the EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM is an outstanding L-series medium-telephoto lens. As Canon's first 85mm L-series lens with IS capability, it has an advanced optical formula with a large-diameter aspherical lens, plus...

The lens I received back-focussed by a long way...and I tried it out on three bodies, 5diii, 5dii and a 5div, all with the same result...Totally unusable! I have since bought another copy from elsewhere...and it's fantastic and have based my ratings on this lens.

I am not a professional, but could tell immediately the professional quality of this lens. It ads a new dimension in composition with its extremely shallow depth of field. Automatic focus is truly a snap. I've shot outdoor portraits of grandchildren and the outcomes are brilliant.

Featuring the record-setting, review-time widest-ever aperture in an image stabilized lens, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM Lens is the perfect portrait lens in many regards. The 85mm focal length allows for a very pleasing portrait perspective, pulling the viewer into the frame without distorting...

I bought this especially to use with my 5DSR as I wanted to minimise handheld blur in low light conditions. I was not disappointed; the combination is unbeatable for hand-held portraits. I use it with my 6DMk2 in the field also. Amazing results. As for quality: 'MADE IN JAPAN' says it all.

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM is an excellent lens and should be on the short list for any Canon SLR shooter who is looking to add a dedicated portrait lens. Its focal length makes it a good choice for isolating subjects from the background, and image stabilization helps you get crisper images and...

Very sharp; Optical stabilization; Dust and splash resistant; Fluorine lens coat; Relatively light and compact

Pricey; Dim corners at wide apertures

I've used it a bit already and it's the best lens I own, and feels way better than the 85mm f/1.2, which I've rented a few times. The IS is a game changer, and the images feel super sharp even wide open.

Image stabilization has long been a must-have feature on zoom lenses, but it's not a given on primes, especially not ones with an f/1.4 aperture. The Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM ($1,599) bucks that trend. Not only does it include stabilization, it offers strong image quality, an excellent build, and does it all in a design that's not obnoxiously huge. We like it a lot, although there are compelling alternatives out there for less money, like the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG HSM Art. Or you may want to really push shallow depth of field to its limits with Canon's own EF 85mm f/1.2L USM. Both are Editors' Choice winners, though neither offers image stabilization. Design: Canon L Series The EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM is rather squat, measuring 4.2 by 3.5 inches (HD) without the included hood attached; the hood adds about two inches to the height. It weighs 2.1 pounds, a bit less than the 2.5-pound Sigma 85mm F1.4 Art. In addition to the hood, Canon includes front and rear caps and a soft carrying ...

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM is a sharp lens with a sturdy build, a bright design, and an angle of view that's ideal for portraiture.

Very sharp; Optical stabilization; Dust and splash resistant; Fluorine lens coat; Relatively light and compact

Pricey; Dim corners at wide apertures

Announced in August 2017, Canon’s EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM lens is the first in its category with integrated image stabilisation, providing up to four stops of shake correction. Developed with portrait photographers in mind, this lens is designed primarily for use on a ‘full frame’ camera.