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Home โ†’ Reviews โ†’ Cameras and Lenses โ†’ Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S Review

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S Review

By Spencer Cox 74 Comments
Last Updated On February 23, 2024

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Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S vs Nikon 85mm f/1.8G

Here is how the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S compares to the Nikon 85mm f/1.8G sharpness-wise:

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S MTF Performance

Nikon 85mm f/1.8G MTF Performance

As you can see, the Z mount version is significantly sharper in every way. It starts out sharper at the maximum aperture, even in the corners, and gets insanely sharp at f/2.8 – something the Nikon 85mm f/1.8G simply cannot compete with. The Nikon 85mm f/1.8G gets really good at f/4, but it simply cannot be compared to the Z mount version. The big difference is also in the corner performance when stopped down. Note those differences at f/5.6.

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S Image Sample #26
NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S @ 85mm, ISO 64, 1/160, f/8.0

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S vs Nikon 85mm f/1.4G

What about the cream machine, the Nikon 85mm f/1.4G? We know it is not a super sharp lens, but how bad does it look in comparison?

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S MTF Performance

Nikon 85mm f/1.4G MTF Performance

As expected, the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S is insanely sharper in comparison to its big brother. The Nikon 85mm f/1.4G cannot keep up at any aperture in the center frame. Where the two lenses match, is in the corner performance when stopped down. This is where both yield very similar results at f/5.6.

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S Image Sample #25
NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S @ 85mm, ISO 64, 1/250, f/8.0

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S vs Nikon 105mm f/1.4E

Lastly, what about the new Nikon 105mm f/1.4E? We know this lens is an optical marvel, so let’s see how it compares to the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S:

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S MTF Performance

Nikon 105mm f/1.4E MTF Performance

This is a much tighter race. The Nikon 105mm f/1.4E outperforms the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 at f/1.8 and f/2, but once stopped down to f/2.8, the latter provides slightly superior center performance. Still, the Nikon 105mm f/1.4 is very impressive here, showing better corners. At the stopped down aperture of f/5.6, the Z mount lens is sharper in the center frame, but loses in the corners.

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S Image Sample #9
NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S @ 85mm, ISO 64, 1/15, f/8.0

The next page of this review sums up everything and explains the pros and cons of the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S. Click the menu below to go to “Verdict”:

Table of Contents

  • Introduction & Build Quality
  • Optical Performance
  • Lens Comparisons
  • Verdict
  • More Image Samples
  • Reader Comments
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