Sony FE 85mm f/1.8
Announced February 7, 2017
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
Exceptional
The Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 is a compact and lightweight portrait prime that delivers sharp images and reliable autofocus at a highly accessible price point. While it lacks built-in optical stabilization and exhibits some focus breathing, the lens remains a standout value for photographers seeking professional-level results without the bulk or cost of exotic alternatives.
Weighted from 28 reviewer scores
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design
- Excellent sharpness and image quality
- Beautiful, smooth bokeh rendering
- Affordable and high value for the cost
- Fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus
Cons
- Presence of chromatic aberration and purple fringing
- Visible vignetting at wider apertures
- Limitations in video performance and focus ring mechanics
- Lacks built-in optical image stabilization
- Noticeable focus breathing
- Launch price $599 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 85mm f/1.8
- Mount & coverage Sony E Full-Frame
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 80 cm (0.13x)
- Filter thread 67mm
- Autofocus motor Double linear motor
- Weight & size 371g · 78 x 82 mm (3.07 x 3.23 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 28 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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The Sony FE 85mm f1.8 is the smallest, lightest and cheapest large aperture 85mm prime lens that autofocuses on Sony mirrorless bodies.
- OpticalLimits 9/10
Moderately fast (as opposed to insanely fast) 85mm or 100mm lenses are generally an easy choice unless something went terribly wrong during the design phase. Still, honours where honours are deserved - the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 is an epic lens.
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If you are on a tight budget but looking for a good portrait lens, look no further. The Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 Lens has your name on it.
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To this point the Sony FE 85mm F1.8 has been somewhat of an oddity: a high performing, reasonably priced option.
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All in all, I was hugely impressed with the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8. Everything about it is just fantastic, from its build quality to its optics.
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For those of you who skimmed the rest of this article to get to the good stuff, here it is: The Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 delivers fantastic image quality and sharpness, and features excellent autofocus speed and accuracy, at a stellar price.
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The FE 1.8/85 delivers what I have hoped and expected. I see very good sharpness already wide open in the center and outstanding sharpness when stopped down to f2.8 across the whole frame as well as no distortion at all.
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The Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 lens is superb to use, and also superb in many ways in terms of its performance.
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The Sony 85mm f/1.8 is a very competent, lightweight and affordable portrait prime lens for the Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras.
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While the Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master lens is the company’s most exotic ‘money no object’ portrait prime, this f/1.8 is only about a third of the cost and less than half the weight.
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The Sony FE 85mm F1.8 is an affordable lens in a focal length ideal for portraits.
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Sony has produced a winner with the 85mm f/1.8, and it has earned a spot in my bag.
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A smart buy all the way around and there would never be any “Buyers Remorse” with this one.
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I really hope you got what you were looking for, and again at the end of the day this is a really high quality lens and an incredible value for the dollar. Like I said, one of the best value for the dollar Sony full-frame mount lenses in my opinion currently.
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If you’re a Sony shooter and you’re looking for a sharp lens for creating nice portraits or a fast lens for low-light situations, this is your go-to. It’s a durable lens and if I ever have any issues (lost, stolen, dropped, etc), I wouldn’t hesitate to buy it again.
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[O]verall, I would say this is one of the best lenses I've had for the size, for the weight.
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Today we're looking at the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8, and if you're in the market for a portrait lens that doesn't break the bank, this is definitely the lens to consider.
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This Sony 85mm f/1.8 is a spectacular lens with flawless optics as good or better than the huge 85mm f/1.4 GM. This f/1.8 lens has great handling and it's super small, light and inexpensive.
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It should be obvious that I am hugely impressed with this lens. It is compact, super-sharp … and quite affordable.
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The bottom line is the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 is in fact a very great optic, but I'm simply not in love with the color science of the Sony camera bodies, nor am I super in love with the bokeh rendering of the 85 f/1.8.
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[R]enders really, really beautiful portraits in my opinion.
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For a portrait, you just cannot fault.
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This lens is phenomenal, and if you're in the market for an 85 and you're a professional shooter, I highly, highly recommend you pick up this lens.
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The image quality is at a level that is much higher than the purchase price of this thing, so I do highly recommend it.
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Now see, for 600 bucks, I don't think you're going to find a better lens for the Sony system than this thing.
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So I try and bring you guys the very easiest real-world reviews, and as I rate things on a scale from definite buy to consider to never think about again, and in this case, this guy is way up there, pretty close to definitely buy.
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That is clear different from other 85mm prime lenses, so considering all aspects I can say this is worth buying.
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I honestly cannot say and obviously I'm not paid by Sony or anything like that, but I honestly think that this is a phenomenal lens.
