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Best 85mm Lens For Sony - Ranking and Buyer's Guy

Maybelle McGlynn
  Jun 7, 2023 2:08 AM

Portrait photographers often turn to an 85mm lens for capturing stunning portraits with a beautiful bokeh effect. Sony has some excellent 85mm lenses for their mirrorless cameras, and in this review, we will take a closer look at two of the best options available.

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1
Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22 Medium-Telephoto Fixed Prime Camera Lens, Black
Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22 Medium-Telephoto Fixed Prime Camera Lens, Black
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  • SCORE
    9.6
    AI Score

    JG Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our JG Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Sony
  • Direct control w/ customizable focus hold button and AF/MF switch.35 mm equivalent focal length (APS-C):127.5
  • ED glass element for corner-to-corner sharpness  more
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2
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Lens for Sony E Bundle with LaCie Rugged Mini 1TB Hard Drive and 64GB SD Card (4 Items)
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Lens for Sony E Bundle with LaCie Rugged Mini 1TB Hard Drive and 64GB SD Card (4 Items)
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  • SCORE
    9.6
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    JG Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our JG Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Sigma
  • Bright F/1.4 Aperture: The high resolving power that covers the entire image from the center to the edges ensures sharpness of the area in focus, and coupled with the significant bokeh effect produced by the F-value of 1.4 brings out the users’ subject in an evocative way. With the ability to shoot from the maximum aperture of f/1.4 without worrying about image quality, users can focus on the camera operations to realize their artistic expressions
  • AF Motor System: The AF motor system employs a stepping motor which is optimized for both phase detection AF and contrast AF. Not only does this provide a smooth shooting experience only possible with a mirrorless camera, such as face/eye detection AF, but it has also made the lens body itself much smaller, as the focus lens has been made small to better suit a stepping motor  more
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3
Sony E-mount FE 24mm F1.4 GM Full Frame Wide-angle Prime Lens (SEL24F14GM), Black
Sony E-mount FE 24mm F1.4 GM Full Frame Wide-angle Prime Lens (SEL24F14GM), Black
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  • SCORE
    9.6
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  • Brand
    Sony
  • G Master design combines extraordinary sharpness and smooth bokeh
  • Compact Master wide prime Lens w/stunning wide-open resolution  more
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4
Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 Lens for Sony E Mount, Black
Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 Lens for Sony E Mount, Black
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  • SCORE
    9.4
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  • Brand
    Zeiss
  • EXCELLENT RESOLUTION AND HIGH CONTRAST: Richly saturated and vivid colours are a must in the creation of lasting impressions. However, stray light within an optical system leads to a lightening of the image that is particularly noticeable in the shadows. This reduces image contrast, with the result that exposures lack contrast and appear faded. To avoid this, ZEISS combines various specially developed technologies to reduce the undesirable effects of stray light.
  • VERSATILE FULL-FRAME LENS: The powerful lens for the mirrorless full-frame system of Sony fulfills the highest requirements. Despite its compact design, the image meets the expectations of professional photographers.  more
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5
VILTROX 85mm F1.8 Mark II Auto Focus Full Frame Lens for Sony E Mount, STM Large Aperture Medium Telephoto Portrait Fixed Focus Lens for Sony Camera A9 A7R3 A7III A7RIII A7M3 A7S2 A6500 A6300
VILTROX 85mm F1.8 Mark II Auto Focus Full Frame Lens for Sony E Mount, STM Large Aperture Medium Telephoto Portrait Fixed Focus Lens for Sony Camera A9 A7R3 A7III A7RIII A7M3 A7S2 A6500 A6300
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  • SCORE
    9.4
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  • Brand
    VILTROX
  • 📷 【DURABLE & LIGHTWEIGHT STRUCTURE WITH LOTUS HOOD PROTECTION】The All-metal body structure ensures lens assembly accuracy and durability, which only weight 484g lighter than the original version ; Designed with LOTUS LENS HOOD which can be used to reduce flare or scattering light of ghosts and avoid rain, snow or sticking to the front of the lens.
  • 📷 【SUPPORT AUTO FOCUS & EYE FOCUS】Adopts steady, quick and smooth AUTO FOCUS, Which can capture the high speed moving objects, widely compatible with Full Frame cameras, after installing Sony camera, support Sony body to view aperture, shutter, exposure compensation and others. 85mm F1.8 STM support Sony Eye Focus function, twice success rate increased for EF which is more efficient to recognize and catch shooting object.  more
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6
Auto-Focus Prime Lens VILTROX 85mm F1.8 Mark II STM Full Frame Portrait Lens for Sony E-Mount Camera A7III A7RIII A7SII A7II A9 A7 A6500 A6400 A6300
Auto-Focus Prime Lens VILTROX 85mm F1.8 Mark II STM Full Frame Portrait Lens for Sony E-Mount Camera A7III A7RIII A7SII A7II A9 A7 A6500 A6400 A6300
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  • SCORE
    9.2
    AI Score

    JG Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our JG Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    EBYPHAN
  • AF 85/1.8 II FE auto-focus standard prime lens is a large aperture lens designed for Sony E-Mount Cameras A7III A7RIII A7SII A7RII A7II A9 A7 A7R A6400 A6500 A6300 A6000 A5100 A5000 NEX-7
  • High Quality: sturdy lens made of high quality materials, precise metal structure, HD Nano multilayer coating, micro USB port for firmware upgrade  more
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7
ROKINON IO85AF-E 85mm F1.4 Auto Focus Weather Sealed Lens for Sony E-Mount
ROKINON IO85AF-E 85mm F1.4 Auto Focus Weather Sealed Lens for Sony E-Mount
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  • SCORE
    9.2
    AI Score

    JG Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our JG Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Rokinon
  • Digital
  • For Sony E-mount full-frame & APS-C Mirrorless cameras  more
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8
Samyang SYIO85AF-E 85mm F1.4 Auto Focus Weather Sealed Lens for Sony E-Mount
Samyang SYIO85AF-E 85mm F1.4 Auto Focus Weather Sealed Lens for Sony E-Mount
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  • SCORE
    9.2
    AI Score

    JG Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our JG Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Samyang
  • Ultra multi-coated Optics; weather-sealed
  • Aperture range: f/1.4 to f/17  more
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9
Sony - FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens (SEL50F18F/2)
Sony - FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens (SEL50F18F/2)
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  • SCORE
    9.2
    AI Score

    JG Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our JG Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Sony
  • Large F1. 8 maximum aperture enables beautiful defocusing effects
  • 7-blade circular aperture creates beautiful defocused bokeh  more
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10
VILTROX 85mm F/1.8 F1.8 Mark II STM Full-Frame 85mm f1.8 ii for AF Auto Focus for Sony E-Mount Camera A7III A7RIII A7SII A7II a6500 a6400 a6300
VILTROX 85mm F/1.8 F1.8 Mark II STM Full-Frame 85mm f1.8 ii for AF Auto Focus for Sony E-Mount Camera A7III A7RIII A7SII A7II a6500 a6400 a6300
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  • SCORE
    9.0
    AI Score

    JG Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our JG Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    VILTROX
  • A stepping motor (STM) is used to drive the autofocus and the lens features a minimum focusing distance of 80cm (2.62ft). The front filter size is 72mm and integrated contacts power the aperture mechanism and deliver EXIF data to compatible Sony cameras.
  • Uses an 'HD Nano' multi-layer coating on individual elements to minimize ghosting and flares.  more

Last update on 2023-06-07 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

FAQs

best 85mm lens for sony

  • What is the difference between an 85mm f/1.4 and f/1.8 lens?

The primary difference between an 85mm f/1.4 and f/1.8 lens is the maximum aperture. An f/1.4 lens has a wider maximum aperture, allowing more light to enter the lens and creating a shallower depth of field. This means that an f/1.4 lens is better suited for low-light photography and creating portraits with a more blurred background. However, f/1.4 lenses tend to be more expensive and heavier than f/1.8 lenses. An f/1.8 lens is a more affordable option and still provides a relatively fast maximum aperture, making it suitable for low-light photography and creating portraits with a shallow depth of field.

  • What is an 85mm lens good for?

An 85mm lens is ideal for portrait photography. Its focal length allows photographers to create stunning portraits with a beautiful bokeh effect, making the subject stand out from the background. The lens's fast maximum aperture is also suitable for low-light photography, making it an excellent choice for indoor portrait sessions.

CONCLUSION

Sony has some excellent 85mm lenses for their mirrorless cameras. The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM lens is a top-of-the-line lens designed for Sony mirrorless cameras. It has a fast maximum aperture of f/1.4, providing a beautiful bokeh effect and excellent low-light performance. The Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 lens is a more affordable option, still providing a fast maximum aperture of f/1.8, and is suitable for portrait and low-light photography. Ultimately, the lens you choose depends on your budget and shooting style. Both lenses are sharp, provide excellent contrast and color rendition, and are ideal for capturing stunning portraits.

Thank you for reading!

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