Sony YONGNUO YN85mm F1.8S DF DSM, Full Frame Prime Lens Review
The Yongnuo 85mm F1.8 has some of the best autofocus you can get for the price, but the image quality isn't quite as sharp as the competition.
Overview
The Yongnuo YN85mm F1.8S is a full-frame prime lens for Sony E-mount cameras. It's a telephoto option that promises fast autofocus and solid stabilization in a relatively lightweight package.
At its core, this is a lens built for specific jobs like portraits and video. It's not trying to be a jack-of-all-trades, and that focus shows in its performance profile.
Performance
The autofocus is the star here, landing in the 96th percentile. It's quick and quiet, which is a huge plus for video work. The image stabilization is also excellent, sitting in the 89th percentile. The trade-off is in the optics. Sharpness and overall image quality are in the lower third of lenses, and it's basically useless for macro work, scoring in the 17th percentile. It's a fast lens for moving subjects, but don't expect tack-sharp perfection.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong af (96th percentile) 96th
- Strong stabilization (89th percentile) 88th
- Strong aperture (77th percentile) 76th
- Strong bokeh (68th percentile) 70th
Cons
- Below average macro (17th percentile) 21th
- Below average optical (34th percentile)
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Telephoto |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.8 |
Build
| Mount | Sony A, Sony E |
| Weight | 0.5 kg / 1.1 lbs |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | STM |
| Stabilization | Yes |
Value & Pricing
At around $345, it's a budget-friendly 85mm f/1.8 option. You're paying for that top-tier autofocus and stabilization system. If those are your main priorities, it's a decent deal. But if you care more about ultimate image sharpness, you might feel shortchanged.
vs Competition
It's a classic trade-off. Compared to a first-party Sony 85mm, you'll save a ton of money but lose optical quality and weather sealing. Against other third-party options like the Viltrox 35mm or Meike 55mm, the Yongnuo wins on autofocus speed and stabilization. Those other lenses might have slightly better optics, but they can't match the AF performance for video. You're choosing between better focus or better sharpness.
| Spec | Sony YONGNUO YN85mm F1.8S DF DSM, Full Frame Prime Lens | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Viltrox VILTROX 25mm F1.7 f/1.7 AF Lens for Fuji X Mount, | Canon Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) | Tamron Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | - | 55mm | 25mm | 24mm | 24-70mm | 17-70mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.4 | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Mount | Sony A, Sony E | Nikon Z | Fujifilm X | Canon RF | Nikon Z | Sony E Mount |
| Stabilization | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 490 | 281 | 400 | 269 | 676 | 544 |
| AF Type | STM | STM | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | Telephoto | - | - | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom |
Verdict
Buy this if you shoot a lot of video or need a reliable, fast-focusing portrait lens on a tight budget. The AF and stabilization are legit. Skip it if you're a pixel-peeper who demands the sharpest images or if you need a lens for anything close-up.