Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8
Announced April 22, 2015
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
The Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 is a highly capable portrait prime that delivers exceptional sharpness and contrast for Sony E-mount users. While it carries a premium price tag and exhibits some optical flaws like pincushion distortion, its inclusion of optical stabilization and a robust, weather-sealed build makes it a standout choice for event and portrait photographers.
Weighted from 24 reviewer scores
Pros
- Fast, silent, and accurate autofocus performance
- Exceptional sharpness and contrast across the frame even at wide apertures
- Integrated optical image stabilization
- Robust, weather-sealed metal construction that remains relatively lightweight
- Unique OLED display for focus distance and depth-of-field
Cons
- High price relative to other 85mm options
- Significant pincushion distortion requiring software correction
- Noticeable vignetting when shooting wide open
- Restrictive 80cm minimum focusing distance
- Lack of physical autofocus/manual focus switch or aperture ring
- Launch price $1,199 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 85mm f/1.8
- Mount & coverage Sony E Full-Frame
- Stabilization Optical IS
- Close focus 80 cm (0.13x)
- Filter thread 67mm
- Weight & size 452g (15.9 oz) · 92 x 92 mm (3.62 x 3.62 in)
Expert Reviews
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[A] clear step-up in image quality over Sony's own FE 85mm f1.8 lens: it's sharper in the important areas, has less longitudinal CAs, less haloing around bright light sources, and better resistance against flare and glare in strong contra light.
- OpticalLimits 9/10
The Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 is one of the best lenses that we have reviewed so far. It isn't just a sharp lens. It is excessively sharp even at fully open aperture. It also maintains a high image quality at close focus distances.
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It’s not only a lens that looks fantastic, but also backs up its minimalist design with a robust build quality and a superb image quality performance that will tempt portrait, event, wedding, and documentary photographers into taking a much closer look.
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Batis lenses deliver consistent color, excellent contrast and detail, and are light and portable. Those are still good reasons to consider the Batis 85mm…particularly if that price reduction continues!
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[T]his Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 lens is still very high quality and it does have image stabilization, and a good few people out there might have the money for it, and if they do, then they'll be delighted with it, and so it does come recommended.
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For stills shooters, this 85 is the real deal, offering the most complete package compared with other options in its class.
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If you want a short tele prime lens with autofocus that is small and light enough to be pleasant to travel with, and which is fast enough to use for portraiture as well as landscape and general travel stuff it’s the best premium choice. The really fast bokeh monsters are too big.
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This Zeiss lens certainly delivers the goods for Sony 7 users.
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The asking price of $1199 is [...] a lot of money to pay for a prime lens, although there isn't currently another comparable native lens from Sony or another manufacturer.
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The Zeiss Batis 1.8/85 isn't a perfect lens, but it's close. Sony Alpha shooters should take note.
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It’s not only a lens that looks fantastic, but also backs up its minimalist design with a robust build quality and a superb image quality performance that will tempt portrait, event, wedding, and documentary photographers into taking a much closer look.
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Giving you advice about the Zeiss Batis 85mm is quite easy: for now, it is the only native portrait lens for the Sony full-frame system that has autofocus and optical stabilisation. It also happens to be an excellent performer.
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I really think optically this Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 is a stellar performer. For me, it's a lens that really gets me excited.
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It’s an absolutely top-tier optic and one that I’m already saving my pennies to purchase for myself.
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The Zeiss Batis line, being Auto Focus and gorgeous in all aspects of image quality, would be some of my top picks for most A7 users, and especially for those who ordered the A7RII as that camera is BEASTLY.
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The Zeiss Batis 1.8/85 is just a wonderful portrait / short tele lens for the Sony E-Mount.
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I do highly, highly recommend it if you shoot a lot of b-roll or if you're vlogging or if you want to like have an extra lens that you can get those detail shots inside or wherever you are where there's low light as well.
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The Zeiss 85mm F1.8 Batis delivers some impressive images with a unique OLED display, optical stabilisation and a construction that's well made to withstand the elements.
- Darren Miles 42/50
The Zeiss is certainly an optically fantastic lens that, again, is simply amazing for portraiture, and I'm not saying it isn't worth the premium to get it.
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I guess this lens produces enormously great image quality and this lens is one of the greatest lenses I've ever used. I do love the picture quality it produces and I truly recommend this lens.
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Until now, I did not have a lens from Zeiss which had a bad performance. You pay a bit more compared to other 85mm, except for the 85mm GM version, but you will get an outstanding performance in regards to sharpness, bokeh, and reliability during low-light.
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Autofocus on this with these new systems is incredible, and it really gives this thing kind of new life.
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[T]he Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 is awesome; it offers fantastic image quality, autofocus performance, built-in stabilization, and build quality.
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As you can see from the footage you saw, things I said, I think this is an amazing lens. And part of the reason why I think every wedding filmmaker and event videographer should have this in their bag is because for professional lenses, the price really isn't that bad.
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