NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 Svs A6400
Nikon
NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S
From £699
Best for Portraits & professional headshots
View NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S
Which should you buy?
Portraits & Professional Headshots — NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S: Optically, this is one of the finest 85mm lenses you can buy at any price. The Z-mount's large diameter allows Nikon's designers to create glass that outperforms many f/1.4 lenses from competing systems. If you own a Z-mount body and shoot portraits, this lens is the answer.
Content Creation & Vlogging — A6400 (2019): The best value APS-C Sony you can buy — especially used. Real-time Eye AF at this price point was transformative when it launched and still makes it one of the most reliable autofocus systems in the lineup.
Who should buy what
NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S
- Nikon Z-mount portrait and wedding photographers
- Professional headshot photographers who demand the sharpest results
- Video creators shooting interviews or narrative content
- Photographers upgrading from DSLR 85mm glass to the Z system
A6400 (2019)
- Vloggers and content creators who need a flip screen and reliable AF
- Photographers upgrading from a compact or smartphone
- Beginners who want room to grow into a full E-mount lens ecosystem
- Anyone prioritising autofocus performance at an accessible price
Quick take: The nikkor z 85mm f/1.8 s is the most affordable; only the nikkor z 85mm f/1.8 s is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S | A6400 (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £699 | £899 |
| Sensor | — | 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS BSI |
| Resolution | — | 24.2MP |
| Video | Compatible with all Nikon Z-mount cameras | 4K/30p (6K oversampled, no crop), 1080p/120p slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Stepping motor (STM) — near-silent for stills and video | Phase-detect, 425 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF |
| Stabilisation | None (relies on body IBIS) | None (no IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | — | 11fps mechanical, 8fps with AF tracking |
| Battery Life | — | ~410 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 470g | 403g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 75mm × 99mm | 120.0 × 66.9 × 59.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | — | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification |
| Screen | — | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 180° flip for selfie/vlog, 921k dots |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount (full-frame and APS-C compatible) | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | — | Single SD UHS-I |
| Connectivity | — | Micro-USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC |
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