Sony E Autofocus

Samyang / Rokinon AF 85mm F1.8 P FE

Focal length: 85 mm
Aperture: f/1.8
Weight: 272 g
Filter diameter: 62 mm
Min. focus distance: 80 cm
Length: 71.5 mm

Overview

The Samyang AF 85mm F1.8 P FE is a compact medium telephoto portrait lens with autofocus for Sony E-mount full frame cameras. Samyang announced it on 15 July 2025 together with the AF 16mm F2.8 P FE, completing the Prima Series trio of 16, 35 and 85 mm. It is aimed at portrait, travel, street and everyday shooters who want a bright 85 mm without the size of an F1.4 lens.

Optical design

The lens has 9 elements in 8 groups, including three extra-low dispersion (ED) elements and one high refractive (HR) element, with UMC coating. According to Samyang, the optical design aims at high resolution at portrait distances and at smooth, creamy bokeh from the nine rounded aperture blades. The aperture runs from F1.8 to F22. The minimum focus distance is 80 cm at a magnification of 0.12x, and the angle of view is 28.6 degrees on full frame and 19.3 degrees on APS-C.

Autofocus and handling

A Linear STM stepping motor drives autofocus. The barrel carries an AF/MF switch and a micro-pattern rubber focus ring, and a USB-C port allows firmware updates. Samyang says the lens meets an IP5-level dust standard in in-house tests, adding that it may not resist dust in all conditions. There is no optical stabilizer, so stabilization has to come from the camera body.

Build and size

It weighs 272 g, measures 71.5 mm in length and 69.8 mm in diameter, and takes 62 mm filters. Samyang calls it the lightest lens in its class, based on its own research as of 15 July 2025. The body uses the company's high-strength engineering plastic and a redesigned hood.

Where it fits

Within our database, the Sony FE 85mm F1.8 weighs 371 g and is 82 mm long, so the Samyang is roughly 100 g lighter. The Viltrox AF 85mm F1.8 II weighs 484 g for E-mount, and Samyang's own AF 85mm F1.4 FE comes in at 568 g. The Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8 adds optical stabilization at 475 g, and the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II is a faster step up at 642 g.

Pros and cons

Pros

Very light at 272 g for an 85 mm F1.8
Nine rounded aperture blades for smooth background blur
AF/MF switch and USB-C port
Compact at 71.5 mm length

Cons

Minimum focus of 80 cm limits close-up use
No optical stabilizer
F1.8 is a stop slower than F1.4 portrait lenses
Only available for E-mount

Verdict

The AF 85mm F1.8 P FE is a small and light portrait lens that trades a little speed for portability. It fits photographers who want a bright 85 mm that stays in the bag all day.

Technical Specifications

min focal length: 85 mm
max focal length: 85 mm
max f (min zoom): f/1.8
max f (max zoom): f/1.8
min. aperture: f/22
Elements: 9
Groups: 8
Weight: 272 g (0.6 lb)
Filter diameter: 62 mm
min focus distance: 80 cm (31.5 in)
Length: 71.5 mm (2.81 in)
Diameter: 69.8 mm (2.75 in)

Simulate depth of field and angle of view

Which cameras does the Samyang / Rokinon AF 85mm F1.8 P FE fit?

The Samyang / Rokinon AF 85mm F1.8 P FE is a full-frame lens for Sony E-Mount cameras. On full-frame bodies it uses the whole sensor; on APS-C Sony E-Mount cameras its field of view equals 128 mm in full-frame terms.

Sony E-Mount cameras

Full frame:: Sony A7R VI, Sony A7 V, Sony FX2, Sony A1 II, Sony A9 III, Sony A7C II, Sony A7CR, Sony ZV-E1, Sony A7R V, Sony A7 IV, Sony A1, Sony FX3, Sony A7S III, Sony A7C, Sony FX6, Sony A7R IV, Sony A9 II, Sony FX9, Sony A7 III, Sony A7R III, Sony A9, Sony A7R II, Sony A7S II, Sony A7 II, Sony A7S, Sony A7, Sony A7R
APS-C:: Sony ZV-E10 II, Sony A6700, Sony FX30, Sony ZV-E10, Sony A6600, Sony A6100, Sony A6400, Sony A6500, Sony A6300, Sony A6000, Sony A5100, Sony A5000, Sony A3000, Sony NEX-5T, Sony NEX-3N, Sony NEX-6, Sony NEX-5R, Sony NEX-F3