NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 Svs A6700

GearFrame · Updated March 2026

Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S From £699 Best for Portraits & professional headshots View NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S
VS
Sony A6700 Sony A6700 (2023) From £999 Best for All-round & video View A6700

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.

All-Round & Video — A6700 (2023): Best-in-class autofocus and 4K/120p video in a compact APS-C body — the standout camera under £1,000.

↓ Full specifications below

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

A6700 (2023)

  • You want a compact, travel-friendly system without sacrificing autofocus performance
  • You're an enthusiast upgrading from an entry-level camera and ready for a more capable body
  • You shoot wildlife or sports and want APS-C reach from a lightweight kit
  • You create video content and need reliable subject and eye tracking in a small form factor

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 SA6700 (2023)
Price £699 £999
Sensor 26MP APS-C Exmor R BSI CMOS
Resolution 26.0MP
Video Compatible with all Nikon Z-mount cameras 4K/120p, 4K/60p oversampled, S-Log3, 10-bit
Autofocus Stepping motor (STM) — near-silent for stills and video 759-point phase-detect, AI subject recognition (human/animal/bird/vehicle)
Stabilisation None (relies on body IBIS) 5-axis IBIS, 5.0 stops
Burst Rate 11fps mechanical, 30fps electronic
Battery Life ~570 shots (CIPA)
Weight 470g 493g body only
Dimensions 75mm × 99mm 122.0 × 69.0 × 75.1mm
Weather Sealed Yes No
Viewfinder EVF, 2.36M dots
Screen 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen
Mount Nikon Z-mount (full-frame and APS-C compatible) Sony E-mount
Memory Cards Single SD UHS-II / CFexpress Type A slot
Connectivity USB-C (3.2), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
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