85mm f/1.8 Full-Frame E-Mount Prime Lens – Ideal for Portraits, Weddings, and Shallow Depth-of-Field Shots

This is the perfect budget 85mm portrait lens for sony E-Mount, both for APS-C & Full Frame. There are some quirks, but this has great character. Positives: Weight: Very Light & compact Clarity: Clean image, even on higher resolution sensors Noise: There is only the slightest autofocus noise Focus: Although this is using an older motor design, for most photos - this meets my needs. Things to keep in mind: There aren't really any negatives at this price point. As this lens is also regularly on offer, you can't really go wrong. With that said, it's the perfect portrait carry for lovers of this focal length. The image is clear and the background separation is brilliant, you likely won't be using it for sport content and to be honest, I haven't even attempted it for this use. For 95% of people, this is the perfect starter portrait lens - I would even say, unless you specifically need the top tier, most wedding photographers would be more than happy use this in a professional context. This is a full frame lens, so for those using this on the APS-C cameras, you're getting closer to the 127mm F2.8 look. If you need something actually close to this focal range, you will want to pickup either the Sigma 56mm F1.4 or the Sony Zeiss 55mm F1.8. Its compact nature means it's always at least a second lens on my carry.

Sony SEL-The Sony SEL-85F18 is an affordable, high-quality 85mm prime lens that delivers sharp images, beautiful bokeh, and excellent low-light performance. It’s a fantastic option for portrait photographers who want professional-level results without breaking the bank. What Makes It Great? • Crisp, Sharp Images – The lens produces tack-sharp photos with amazing detail, even at f/1.8. • Smooth & Creamy Bokeh – Thanks to its 9-blade aperture, backgrounds melt away beautifully, making your subject pop. • Lightweight & Compact – Unlike heavier portrait lenses, this one is easy to carry and comfortable to use for long shoots. • Fast & Accurate Autofocus – Works well in both photo and video, with quiet and responsive AF that locks onto subjects quickly. • Great in Low Light – The f/1.8 aperture lets in plenty of light, making it a solid choice for indoor and evening shots. A Few Things to Consider • No Optical Stabilization – Not a big issue for most portrait work, but handheld video or low-light shooting might require steady hands or a tripod. • Plastic Build (but Solid Construction) – While not as premium as G Master lenses, it still feels durable and well-made. Final Thoughts For portrait photographers, event shooters, or anyone looking for a high-quality prime lens, the Sony SEL-85F18 is an amazing value. It delivers pro-level image quality, smooth bokeh, and reliable autofocus, all in a lightweight and affordable package. Final Score: 9.5/10 – One of the best budget-friendly portrait lenses for Sony mirrorless cameras!

This lens is an excellent performer and represents a good compromise compared to the premium f1.4 GM lens and third party alternatives. The key strengths of this lens for me are - the autofocus is quick and accurate, meeting my needs for portraits - both human and feline. - it features a customisable button and autofocus switch on the lens for convenient control/usability. - build quality is very good - it feels good in the hand without being heavy. - the image quality is excellent and sharp. The aperture of f1.8 is more than usable as I frequently stop the lens down to ensure both eyes and the face is in focus and I like to include some of the background for context. On an A7iii the lowlight performance means that f1.8 is usable in lowlight situations and experience has backed it up. On a higher resolution body such as the A7RIII or A7RIV, noise may be an issue but that is subjective. I came to this after using my venerable Canon EF85mm f1.8 via an MC-11 adapter by Sigma. The Sony 85mm f1.8 is a definite upgrade in every way from build quality to image quality. It’s moderate size and weight means it is always in my camera bag and I have used it in street, landscape, casual and portrait settings without issue. There are cheaper options available but you compromise on build quality and features (control switches and custom button) and there are premium alternatives which offer potentially higher performance. The 85mm f1.8 represents a balanced alternative, priced very competitively with strong performance.

An excellent lens, for me, as an amateur, it’s just a gift! Optically sharp, very light glass, I liked the strict design, excellent autofocus, good bokeh in portraits, light weight and of course - cheap price! The case is assembled perfectly, nothing hangs or creaks. For my Sony A7M2 camera this is what I need! I had my eye on it for a long time, but the budget was limited. I was very happy to buy it in January 2024 at an excellent Black Friday price of £379. By the way, if anyone needs a 50mm lens for full format, now there is a new Meike FE AF 50mm f/1.8, it is also on AMAZON, I just bought it too and am very pleased with it. And what’s interesting is that it costs 2 times less than this one. I repeat once again, I’m not a professional, so I don’t look for expensive super bright lenses at crazy prices, photographing based on the principle: it’s not the equipment that shoots, but the photographer!

Incredible item Greater low light performance Good for portrait Excellent bokeh effect

Sharp lens, fast auto focus, not GM but very, very good lens.

£400 at time of review I moved over to Sony from Canon about 12 years ago and have never looked back, I shoot more video than stills, but lately have been wanting a good portrait lens, I'd looked at the Sony 85mm 1.4, but for the amount that I will use a 85mm that's too much for me to stretch to, but as soon as I saw this drop to £400 I knew it would be a steal. I've only tried it out a couple of times so far, but I've been blown away by it's quality & aesthetics... I have a few Sony G lenses, my favourite being the 20mm 1.8 (SEL20f18G), another favourite is my voigtlander 40mm 1.4, both these lenses are pin sharp and have beautiful aesthetics, but I can see this 85mm becoming another favourite as the results are gorgeous. Even at 1.8 handheld this is pin sharp, yes a little soft at the edges, but that adds to the shot, but crank it down to ƒ4 and its pin sharp across the entire frame. I can't see you NOT loving this lens, especially at less than £400, it's worth every penny! Hope my review was helpful

This is a must lens to have, if you like taking portraits. Not a pro lens, but still rated highly by many professional reviewers. Great f/1.8 minimum aperture for low light or creamy bokeh. Light in weight also, so very easy to add to a bag. Quiet and accurate autofocus (on an A7iii). Compliments a standard zoom lens nicely.