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Head-to-head · Best Portrait Lenses Under $500

Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 vs Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.6 vs 4.1). Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO is best for: Nikon Z and Sony E full-frame shooters who want a light 85mm portrait prime with an aperture ring at a low price. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Sony FE 50mm f/1.8
Ranked #3 in Best Portrait Lenses Under $500
Sony FE 50mm f/1.8
5 sources$215.94as of Oct 18

Sony's E-mount lineup needed an affordable, compact 50mm prime, and the FE 50mm f/1.8 filled the gap. Digital Camera World praised its smooth bokeh and good image quality; Photography Blog noted the lightweight design and the plastic build quality. Both flagged significant vignetting at wide aperture and audible autofocus noise, the latter a real problem for videographers. With no weather-seals and no internal stabilization, it fits still photography enthusiasts looking for an entry-level fast prime more than professionals shooting in challenging conditions.

Strengths
  • — Compact and lightweight at 186g with 68.6mm diameter
  • — Smooth bokeh quality with 7-blade circular aperture
  • — Good image quality with minimal chromatic aberrations
Watch-outs
  • — Severe vignetting at f/1.8 aperture
  • — Audible autofocus motor noise during operation
  • — No weather-seals or internal image stabilization
$215.94 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Portrait Lenses Under $500
Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO
2 sources$275as of Oct 18

The Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO is a 340g full-frame autofocus portrait prime sold for Nikon Z and Sony E mounts at $275. Digital Camera World tested both mount versions and praised its compact metal build, aperture ring with click/de-click switch and image quality, with its only reservations the f/2 aperture and the lack of an aperture ring lock. Photography Blog, testing the Sony version on an A7CR, found excellent centre sharpness even wide open and attractive bokeh, but obvious vignetting from f/2 to f/4 and autofocus that is not quite as quick as Sony's own lenses.

Strengths
  • — Excellent centre sharpness even wide open and attractive bokeh from the 9-blade aperture, per Photography Blog
  • — Aperture ring with click/de-click switch, customisable function button and AF/MF switch, features Digital Camera World rates five stars
  • — Weather-sealed mount and a USB-C port for firmware updates
Watch-outs
  • — Obvious vignetting wide open from f/2 to f/4, according to Photography Blog
  • — Autofocus is not quite as quick as Sony's own lenses on the A7CR, per Photography Blog
  • — f/2 is not the fastest aperture for an 85mm prime, and there is no aperture ring lock switch (Digital Camera World)
$275 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Sony FE 50mm f/1.8

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 stands out for its compact design and affordable price, but it falls short compared to the Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM in terms of optical quality and close-focusing capability. Unlike the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM, it suffers from severe vignetting and audible autofocus noise, making it less suitable for videographers. While it's lighter than the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM, it lacks the telephoto reach and professional build quality that would make it competitive with higher-end options.

Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO

At 340g the Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO is lighter than the 425 g Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM and gives the same 85mm framing to Nikon Z and Sony E cameras, though its f/2 maximum aperture is a third of a stop slower than the f/1.8 lenses on this page. The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8, Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM and Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM are lighter still at 186g, 160g and 159g.

Specs side-by-side

SpecSony FE 50mm f/1.8Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO
MountSony ENikon Z (FX) / Sony E (FE)
Focal Length50mm85mm
Max Aperturef/1.8f/2
AutofocusYesSTM stepping motor
Image StabilizationNoNone
Weight186g340g
Filter Thread—58mm
Minimum Focus Distance—0.74m
Optical Construction—10 elements in 8 groups
Aperture Blades—9
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