Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S 85mm
The fully manual 85mm f/1.8 design lacks electronic contacts, forcing a pure mechanical workflow but rewarding with precise focus control and creative freedom, complemented by hybrid aspherical elements and UMC coatings for sharp, low-aberration images. Its 6-blade aperture delivers smooth, dreamy bokeh, and the lens remains lightweight at 380g while supporting a wide range of Nikon F-mount DSLRs at a budget-friendly price. This lens is best for portrait photographers learning manual exposure and wanting affordable, hands-on control to shape artistic shallow-depth-of-field shots.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong social proof (92th percentile) 92th
- Strong build (79th percentile) 79th
Cons
- Below average macro (18th percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews — so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 236 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 85 |
| Focal Length Max | 85 |
| Elements | 12 |
| Groups | 8 |
| Aspherical Elements | 0 |
| ED Elements | 2 |
| Coating | Super Integrated Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | 16 |
| Min Aperture | 1.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon Z |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.3 kg / 0.8 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 67 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Silent Wave Motor |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 800 |
| Max Magnification | 0.12x |
vs Competition
| Spec | Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S 85mm | Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 | Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM | Sony E SELP1650 | Meike 50mm F1.8 Full Frame STM Auto Focus Prime | Viltrox Air AF 15mm F1.7 E-Mount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 85mm | 28-75mm | 18-135mm | 16-50mm | 50mm | 15mm |
| Max Aperture | 16 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/3.5 | f/1.8 | f/1.7 |
| Mount | Nikon Z | Sony E | Canon EF-S | Sony E | Sony E | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | false | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | false | false | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 350 | 550 | 515 | 116 | 369 | 301 |
| AF Type | Silent Wave Motor | VXD | STM | Stepping motor | STM | STM |
| Lens Type | prime | zoom | zoom | zoom | Wide-Angle | Wide-Angle |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Af | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S 85mm | 54.9 | 45.3 | 79 | 18.2 | 63 | 50 | 34.1 | 91.7 | 35.9 |
| Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 Compare | 54.9 | 86.4 | 63.2 | 84.8 | 91.2 | 84.1 | 78.5 | 91.7 | 35.9 |
| Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Compare | 86.6 | 75.5 | 46.6 | 33.2 | 79.8 | 77.5 | 96 | 78 | 92.5 |
| Sony E SELP1650 Compare | 86.6 | 75.5 | 93.6 | 35.1 | 64.4 | 77.5 | 83.5 | 74.1 | 92.5 |
| Meike 50mm F1.8 Full Frame STM Auto Focus Prime Compare | 86.6 | 96.1 | 62.8 | 95.7 | 38.6 | 93 | 34.1 | 50.2 | 81.1 |
| Viltrox Air AF 15mm F1.7 E-Mount Compare | 86.6 | 91.8 | 61.9 | 99 | 15.9 | 94.3 | 34.1 | 60.9 | 81.1 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Best Buy 9 offers From $205
B&H Photo 3 offers From $497
Price History
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
