Is the Sony 85mm F1.8 worth it over the 85mm F1.4 G Master?

For most shooters, yes. It is much lighter and smaller, focuses quickly and is sharp wide open. The G Master gives a brighter F1.4 aperture and smoother rendering for those who need it.

Does it work on APS-C Sony cameras?

Yes. On APS-C it gives a field of view close to 127mm, which suits tight portraits and headshots.

Does it have image stabilization?

No. It relies on the camera's in-body stabilization, which most recent Sony full-frame bodies have.

Is it weather sealed?

Sony describes it as dust- and moisture-resistant, not fully weather sealed. It handles light rain and dust but is not built for heavy downpours.

The lens, front and rear caps, a lens hood and a soft carrying pouch.

How close can it focus?

Minimum focus distance is about 0.8 m (2.6 ft), so it is best for portraits rather than close-up work.

Where is the SEL85F18 Full-frame E-mount Fast Prime Lens cheapest?

At Walmart, for $648.00, as of our latest check.

What do buyers say about the SEL85F18 Full-frame E-mount Fast Prime Lens?

Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 81 ratings.

Sony

SEL85F18 Full-frame E-mount Fast Prime Lens

Best price now

$648.00at WalmartChecked Nov 11

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Walmart

Sony

SEL85F18 Full-frame E-mount Fast Prime Lens

Best price now

$648.00at WalmartChecked Nov 11

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Walmart

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Price facts

Last seen at $648.00 at Walmart on Nov 11.

Our take on the SEL85F18 Full-frame E-mount Fast Prime Lens

The Sony SEL85F18 is an 85mm F1.8 full-frame E-mount prime built for portraits. It is compact and light, with a 9-blade aperture for smooth background blur and a dust- and moisture-resistant body. It costs far less than Sony's 85mm F1.4 G Master and weighs much less, so it suits hobbyists and event shooters who want shallow depth of field without a heavy bag. Owners rate it highly for sharpness wide open and quick, quiet autofocus; the main complaints are some chromatic fringing at F1.8 and no optical stabilization.

Best forPortrait and headshot photographersFull-frame and APS-C Sony E-mount shootersTravel and event photographers who want a light primeBeginners moving up from a kit lens

Pros

Sharp at F1.8, very sharp stopped down
Light and compact for an 85mm prime
Fast, quiet autofocus that tracks well
Pleasing background blur from the 9-blade aperture
Dust- and moisture-resistant build
Works on both full-frame and APS-C bodies

Cons

Visible color fringing wide open in high-contrast edges
No optical stabilization
Focus-by-wire manual focus ring
No weather sealing rating beyond dust and moisture resistance

SEL85F18 Full-frame E-mount Fast Prime Lens prices at every store

WalmartNew
In stockSold by AVC Photo & Video SpecialtyReturns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.
$648.00Free shippingChecked Nov 11
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What reviewers say

4.6 / 581 ratings

Owners and reviewers rate it among the best-value portrait lenses for Sony E-mount. They praise sharpness wide open, light weight and reliable autofocus, and note some fringing at F1.8 as the main trade-off.

What people mention

SharpnessPraisedReviewers say it is sharp even at F1.8 and gets sharper stopped down.
WeightPraisedOwners like how light and compact it is for an 85mm lens.
AutofocusPraisedUsers report fast, quiet autofocus that keeps up with moving subjects.
BokehPraisedThe 9-blade aperture gives smooth, rounded background blur for portraits.
FringingCriticisedSome owners see purple and green fringing on high-contrast edges wide open.
StabilizationMixedThere is no optical stabilization, so some shooters rely on in-body stabilization.

About the SEL85F18 Full-frame E-mount Fast Prime Lens

This is an 85mm F1.8 mid-telephoto prime lens for full-frame E-mount cameras. It is compact and lightweight, and it can be used on both full-frame and APS-C cameras.

The fast F1.8 aperture uses 9 blades to produce background defocus. The lens has a dust and moisture resistant design.

Color: Black
Focal length: 85mm
Maximum aperture: F1.8
Mount: Full-frame E-mount
Aperture blades: 9
Compatibility: Full-frame and APS-C cameras
Durability: Dust and moisture resistant design

Specifications

color: BlackSource

Questions and answers

Is the Sony 85mm F1.8 worth it over the 85mm F1.4 G Master?: For most shooters, yes. It is much lighter and smaller, focuses quickly and is sharp wide open. The G Master gives a brighter F1.4 aperture and smoother rendering for those who need it.
Does it work on APS-C Sony cameras?: Yes. On APS-C it gives a field of view close to 127mm, which suits tight portraits and headshots.
Does it have image stabilization?: No. It relies on the camera's in-body stabilization, which most recent Sony full-frame bodies have.
Is it weather sealed?: Sony describes it as dust- and moisture-resistant, not fully weather sealed. It handles light rain and dust but is not built for heavy downpours.
What is in the box?: The lens, front and rear caps, a lens hood and a soft carrying pouch.
How close can it focus?: Minimum focus distance is about 0.8 m (2.6 ft), so it is best for portraits rather than close-up work.
Where is the SEL85F18 Full-frame E-mount Fast Prime Lens cheapest?: At Walmart, for $648.00, as of our latest check.
What do buyers say about the SEL85F18 Full-frame E-mount Fast Prime Lens?: Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 81 ratings.