Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S
Announced July 31, 2019
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S is an exceptionally sharp portrait prime that delivers consistent, high-resolution results across the frame. While it offers impressive optical quality and weather sealing, some users may find the focus shift, focus breathing, and premium price point notable drawbacks.
Weighted from 22 reviewer scores
Pros
- Well-controlled chromatic aberration and flare
- Outstanding sharpness and contrast across the entire frame
- Robust, weather-sealed construction
- Fast, silent, and accurate autofocus performance
- Smooth, high-quality bokeh rendering
Cons
- High price relative to alternatives
- Significant focus breathing issues
- Lack of image stabilization
- Pronounced focus shift when stopping down
- Softness in extreme corners at infinity
- Launch price $799.95 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 85mm f/1.8
- Mount & coverage Nikon Z Full-Frame
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 80 cm (0.12x)
- Filter thread 67mm
- Weight & size 470g (1 lb 0.6 oz) · 75 x 99 mm (2.95 x 3.90 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 22 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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Nikon’s new Z 85mm f1.8 S is a very good performer in almost every aspect except for the far FX-corners at infinity.
- OpticalLimits 8.5/10
The Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S performs on a very high level, delivering very high resolution across the whole frame straight from the maximum aperture.
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The only negative I can think of is focus shift. All three samples of the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S I tested had a pronounced focus shift from f/1.8 all the way to f/5.6.
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The Z 85mm f/1.8 S is a practical prime lens, capable of producing very attractive images paired with Nikon Z series cameras.
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The Nikkor Z 85mm F1.8 S-Line is often mentioned alongside the 50mm F1.8 S as being the two most special lenses in the lineup.
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[T]his lens has lovely build quality making it a pleasure to use and its main image quality strengths are fantastic sharpness and very smooth bokeh.
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[I]f you’re looking for a solid, sharp portrait lens with great bokeh for your Z camera, this lens is a reliable choice.
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The usual pushback I get on the Nikkor f/1.8 S primes is this: "they're too big for their focal length and they cost too much." Okay, I'm going to push right back at you: so far there's not a Z-mount prime that doesn't blow the F-mount version out of the water.
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The Nikon Z 85m f/1.8 S is an outstanding 85mm lens in every respect. What a cracker of a lens the Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S has turned out to be.
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Nikon’s “S” lenses for its Z mount are still relatively few and far between, but those which have already made it onto market are very impressive indeed.
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[I]f you're on a Z 6, Z 7, Z 50, if you can afford this piece of glass, it's a nice one to have in the bag.
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This is a top-notch lens and any photographer would be lucky to have it in their kitbag.
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The Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S is yet another excellent prime lens for the Z mirrorless system.
- Digital Trends 9/10
As the first true portrait lens for Nikon’s year-old Z series, the Z 85mm f/1.8 S is a winner.
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If you want to be shooting on the Nikon Z system with that nice big mount, taking advantage of the eye autofocus and all the things that this has brought to the Nikon ecosystem, this is currently your choices.
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I think this Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens is the best 85mm lens that Nikon has ever created, and it also raised the bar of what a 85mm portrait lens could be.
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On the technical side, this lens offers many advantages: Weather sealing, internal focus design, excellent sharpness from close to far, outstanding corner-to-corner sharpness, and rich, creamy bokeh.
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[W]e can certainly see the results in a lens like the 50mm 1.8 Z and this Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S, both fabulous lenses.
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The Z 85 1.8 is ultrasharp and almost optically perfect, just as good as the exotic ZEISS OTUS at a fraction of the price, size and weight.
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The bottom line is, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens has beautiful optical performance, and is designed for solo shooters who are mostly into handholding their cameras for video work.
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If you want to focus specifically on portraits, then this is the Z series lens to get as far as I'm concerned.
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In my opinion, it’s one of the best lenses in Nikon’s Z lineup for portrait shooters. Excellent value for money and also the size and weight make it more accessible and more versatile for more shooting situations.
