Detailed Assessment of Nikon's Z 85mm f/1.8 S Lens
The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S is a professional-grade portrait lens for the Z mount mirrorless camera system, offering a strong balance of optical performance, weight, and price. This lens is widely regarded as an excellent choice for most users, thanks to its superb sharpness, beautiful bokeh, weather sealing, and relatively lightweight design.
Key Features and Comparison
Here's how the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S stacks up against some of its competitors in the 85mm focal length category:
| Lens | Max Aperture | Weight | Price | Optical Performance & Features | |-----------------------------|--------------|------------|---------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S | f/1.8 | 660g | ~$749 | Superb sharpness, beautiful bokeh, weather sealing, and a lightweight design | | Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S | f/1.2 | 1.16 kg | ~$2,800 | Exceptional sharpness, very smooth bokeh, excellent autofocus; a professional-grade lens but very heavy and expensive | | Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.4 Pro (Nikon Z forthcoming) | f/1.4 | ~1.0 kg* | Expected lower than Nikon f/1.2 S | Solid build quality, weather-sealed, aimed at pro users; good optical quality for price; weight heavier than Nikon 85mm f/1.8 S | | Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.8 G (F-mount adapted) | f/1.8 | 480g | ~$699 | Slightly lighter and cheaper, but older design and no native Z autofocus; optical quality good but less modern coatings | | Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 | f/1.4 | 1.14 kg | ~$1,199 | Solid optical quality with smooth bokeh, but heavier and more expensive than Nikon f/1.8 S | | Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 | f/1.8 | 560g | ~$1,799 | Highly regarded for sharpness and color rendition, but significantly more expensive and slightly heavier than Nikon f/1.8 S |
A Balance Between Performance, Weight, and Price
For users prioritizing a balance between excellent optical results, manageable weight, and price, the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S remains the top choice on the Z mount system as of 2025. The f/1.2 version suits professionals who want the very best and can handle the cost and weight trade-off. Third-party lenses like the Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 Pro (upcoming for Nikon Z) offer a faster aperture than the Nikon f/1.8, sturdy build and weather sealing, but at heavier weight and less proven optical pedigree. Adapted F-mount lenses like the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 G are cheaper and lighter but lack native Z-mount autofocus speed and modern coatings.
Design and Performance
The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S is composed of 12 elements in 8 groups, with two extra-low dispersion (ED) elements. The lens has a plastic barrel with a plastic 67mm filter thread, but the rear part of the lens, the mount itself, and the focus ring are all made out of metal. The lens has a large aperture of f/1.8, which is suitable for low-light photography and subject isolation. The focus ring is large and easy to rotate, but due to having a focus-by-wire stepping motor, the focus ring is not mechanically coupled to anything.
The lens was released with a price tag of $800 USD, which is a significant increase over the price of its predecessor, the Nikon 85mm f/1.8G. The lens does not have any other controls aside from the A/M switch and the focus ring (which can be programmed for other tasks). The lens attaches very securely on Nikon Z cameras, thanks to its four locking ears on the mount (vs three on Nikon F). The lens is fully weather-sealed, thanks to nine different rubber seals that protect different parts of the lens.
The lens has nine rounded aperture blades and is coated with both Nano Crystal Coat and Super Integrated Coating to reduce ghosting and flare. The front element of the lens does not rotate or move while focusing, making it easy to use circular filters on the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S. The lens feels fairly light when hand-holding, although it is longer and heavier than its F-mount 85mm f/1.8G version.
Conclusion
The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S renders beautiful portraits with smooth backgrounds and background highlights known as "bokeh". For most users, this lens offers an ideal balance between excellent optical results, manageable weight, and price, making it a versatile and reliable workhorse for portrait photography on the Nikon Z-mount system.
- The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S is a professional-grade portrait lens for the Z mount mirrorless camera system, boasting superior sharpness, attractive bokeh, weather sealing, and a relatively lightweight design.
- In comparison with other 85mm focal length lenses, the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S offers a balance between optical performance, weight, and price, making it the top choice for users prioritizing such a balance as of 2025.
- The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S is composed of 12 elements in 8 groups, featuring two extra-low dispersion (ED) elements for reduced aberrations.
- The lens has a plastic barrel with a plastic 67mm filter thread, but the rear part of the lens, the mount itself, and the focus ring are made out of metal.
- The focus ring is large and easy to rotate, with a focus-by-wire stepping motor ensuring smooth autofocus, although it is not mechanically coupled to anything.
- The lens was released at a price of $800 USD, slightly more expensive than its predecessor, the Nikon 85mm f/1.8G.
- Adapted F-mount lenses like the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 G are cheaper and lighter but lack native Z-mount autofocus speed and modern coatings.
- Third-party lenses, such as the upcoming Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 Pro for Nikon Z, offer a faster aperture and sturdy build, but at heavier weight and less proven optical pedigree.
- The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S renders beautiful portraits with smooth backgrounds and highlights, making it an ideal lens for lifestyle and portrait photography, with its high-quality bokeh and sharpness.
- The lens is coated with both Nano Crystal Coat and Super Integrated Coating to reduce ghosting and flare, ensuring excellent image quality in various lighting conditions.
