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Guide

Nikon Z 85mm 1.8 Vs Viltrox

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively...

What To Know

  • 8 STM is still a very sharp lens, but it’s not quite as good as the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.
  • 8 STM is still a very fast lens, but it’s not quite as fast as the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.
  • 8 STM is a more affordable option, but it’s not quite as good as the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.

The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S and Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM are two of the most popular 85mm lenses for portrait photographers. Both lenses offer excellent image quality, fast autofocus, and a compact design. But which lens is right for you? In this article, we’ll compare the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S and Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM head-to-head to help you make a decision.

Image Quality

Both the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S and Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM produce excellent image quality. However, the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S has a slight edge in terms of sharpness and detail. This is especially noticeable when shooting at wide apertures. The Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM is still a very sharp lens, but it’s not quite as good as the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S.

Autofocus

The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S and Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM both have fast and accurate autofocus. However, the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S has a slight edge in terms of speed. This is especially noticeable when shooting in low-light conditions. The Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM is still a very fast lens, but it’s not quite as fast as the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S.

Build Quality

The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S is a well-built lens with a metal construction. The Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM is also a well-built lens, but it has a plastic construction. However, the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM is still very durable and should be able to withstand most types of use.

Price

The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S is a more expensive lens than the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM. The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S typically costs around $800, while the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM typically costs around $400.

Which Lens is Right for You?

The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S and Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM are both excellent lenses. However, the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S has a slight edge in terms of image quality, autofocus, and build quality. The Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM is a more affordable option, but it’s not quite as good as the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S.

Ultimately, the best lens for you will depend on your individual needs and budget. If you’re looking for the best possible image quality, autofocus, and build quality, then the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S is the best choice. However, if you’re on a budget, then the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM is a great option.

Additional Considerations

In addition to the factors discussed above, there are a few other things you may want to consider when choosing between the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S and Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM.

  • Lens Compatibility: The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S is only compatible with Nikon Z-mount cameras. The Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM is compatible with both Nikon Z-mount cameras and Canon EF-mount cameras.
  • Weight: The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S weighs 11.6 ounces, while the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM weighs 10.2 ounces.
  • Size: The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S is 3.4 inches long, while the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM is 3.1 inches long.
  • Filter Size: The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S has a 67mm filter size, while the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM has a 72mm filter size.

The Verdict

The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S and Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM are both excellent lenses. However, the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S has a slight edge in terms of image quality, autofocus, and build quality. The Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM is a more affordable option, but it’s not quite as good as the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S.

Ultimately, the best lens for you will depend on your individual needs and budget. If you’re looking for the best possible image quality, autofocus, and build quality, then the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S is the best choice. However, if you’re on a budget, then the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM is a great option.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q: Which lens is sharper, the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S or the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM?

A: The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S is slightly sharper than the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM.

  • Q: Which lens has faster autofocus, the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S or the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM?

A: The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S has slightly faster autofocus than the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM.

  • Q: Which lens is better built, the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S or the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM?

A: The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S is better built than the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM. The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S has a metal construction, while the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM has a plastic construction.

  • Q: Which lens is more affordable, the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S or the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM?

A: The Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM is more affordable than the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S. The Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM typically costs around $400, while the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S typically costs around $800.

  • Q: Which lens is better for portrait photography, the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S or the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM?

A: Both the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S and Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM are excellent lenses for portrait photography. However, the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S has a slight edge in terms of image quality, autofocus, and build quality.

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Lindsey

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively testing and reviewing Nikon's latest mirrorless cameras like the Z5, Z6, Z7 and Z50 on her blog. Through her writing on lindseyshoots.com, Lindsey aims to help other photographers make the transition from DSLRs to mirrorless. She shares detailed hands-on reviews, comparisons between different mirrorless camera models, tips for beginners, and photo tutorials. When she isn't testing cameras, Lindsey enjoys landscape, street and travel photography. Her work has been published in several magazines and online publications. Lindsey is also a member of the Nikon Professional Services program.
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