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Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S — Prime/Zoom
Nikon

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S

Prime/Zoom

88
/ 100
From $799
VS
Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S wins by 7
Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S — S-Line · f/1.2 · Premium glass
Nikon

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

S-Line · f/1.2 · Premium glass

95
/ 100
From $2,099
Specdex verdict

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S lands at 88 and Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S at 95. That puts Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S ahead by 7 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S if…

  • ✓Fast aperture
  • ✓Quiet autofocus
  • ✓Weather-sealed (most)

Pick Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S if…

  • ✓Best 50mm f/1.2 AF lens we've tested
  • ✓Internal focus + silent STM
  • ✓Edge-to-edge sharpness wide open
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sharpness

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Compared on the sharpness sub-score

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S leads on sharpness (98 vs 88).

Build

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Compared on the build sub-score

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S leads on build (96 vs 88).

Autofocus

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Compared on the autofocus sub-score

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S leads on af (95 vs 86).

Value for money

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S more score per dollar ($799 vs $2,099).

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S 88
vs
95 Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Score breakdown

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S
88
sharpness 88
af 86
build 88
value 85
bokeh 0
Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
95
sharpness 98
af 95
build 96
value 80
bokeh 96

Specs side-by-side

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S versus Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S — full spec comparison
Spec Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Mount
—
Nikon Z
Focal length
—
50 mm
Aperture
—
f/1.2 to f/16
Construction
—
17 elements / 15 groups
Min focus
—
0.45 m
Filter
—
82 mm
Weight
—
1090 g

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S

Pros
  • +Fast aperture
  • +Quiet autofocus
  • +Weather-sealed (most)
Cons
  • −Mount-specific
  • −Weight varies
  • −Price scales with quality

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Pros
  • +Best 50mm f/1.2 AF lens we've tested
  • +Internal focus + silent STM
  • +Edge-to-edge sharpness wide open
Cons
  • −Heavy at 1090g
  • −Pricey
  • −Massive front element (filter 82mm)

FAQ: Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Which is better, Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S or Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S? +

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 7. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S worth the price? +

At $799, Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in sharpness.

Is Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S worth the price? +

At $2,099, Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in sharpness.

Does Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S or Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for sharpness, Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S or Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S? +

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S — leads on sharpness (98 vs 88). Compared on the sharpness sub-score.

Which is better for build, Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S or Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S? +

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S — leads on build (96 vs 88). Compared on the build sub-score.