NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 Svs A7C

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 A7C Sony A7C (2020) From £1299 Best for Compact travel & content creation View A7C

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.

Compact Travel & Content Creation — A7C (2020): The A7C proves full-frame doesn't have to be bulky. Excellent battery life, reliable Eye AF and a vari-angle screen in a pocketable body is a compelling combination for travel and content creators. The A7C II improved on it, but the original remains a strong value buy.

↓ 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

A7C (2020)

  • Travel photographers who want full-frame in the smallest possible body
  • Content creators who need a flip screen and reliable Eye AF
  • Photographers upgrading from APS-C who want to keep a compact kit
  • Vloggers who need 4K and great battery life on the road

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 SA7C (2020)
Price £699 £1,299
Sensor 24.2MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS
Resolution 24.2MP
Video Compatible with all Nikon Z-mount cameras 4K/30p (oversampled), 1080p/120p slow-motion, S-Log2/S-Log3
Autofocus Stepping motor (STM) — near-silent for stills and video Phase-detect, 693 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF
Stabilisation None (relies on body IBIS) 5-axis IBIS, 5 stops
Burst Rate 10fps with AF/AE tracking
Battery Life ~740 shots (CIPA) — outstanding for a Sony mirrorless
Weight 470g 509g (body, battery, card)
Dimensions 75mm × 99mm 124.0 × 71.1 × 59.7mm
Weather Sealed Yes No
Viewfinder None built-in — use rear screen or accessory EVF
Screen 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 921k dots
Mount Nikon Z-mount (full-frame and APS-C compatible) Sony E-mount
Memory Cards Single SD UHS-II
Connectivity USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
⚡ Compare specs side by side NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S prices → A7C prices →

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