Samyang AF 85 mm f/1.8 P FE review - Summary

Have you rated your lenses yet?

Samyang AF 85 mm f/1.8 P FE

17 November 2025

Maciej Latałło

11. Summary

Pros:

small, shapely and lightweight barrel for these parameters,
very good image quality in the frame centre,
sensible image quality on the edge of the APS-C/DX sensor,
low longitudinal chromatic aberration,
lack of coma problems,
negligible astigmatism,
moderate vignetting on the APS-C/DX sensor,
out-of-focus areas pleasing to the eye,
silent and efficient autofocus,
good price/quality and price/performance ratio.

Cons:

too high lateral chromatic aberration,
distinct vignetting on full frame,
weak performance against bright light,
very high focus breathing level.

If you thought that one of the smallest, lightest, and cheapest 1.8/85 lenses available on the market would be also devoid of any flaws it's time to return to reality. The Samyang AF 85 mm f/1.8 P features some serious compromises. It shows a noticeable level of lateral chromatic aberration (especially on more significant stopping down of the aperture), distinct vignetting, focus breathing, and its performance against bright light leaves a lot to be desired. Apart from that it doesn't correct distortion and spherical aberration in a perfect way.

For a change it is able to offer you a really good image quality – near the maximum relative aperture it is able to put to shame many more expensive rivals. Additionally, it doesn't have any problems with longitudinal chromatic aberration, astigmatism, and coma. Its out-of-focus areas are very nice and its autofocus doesn't provide any reasons to complain.

If you take into account its price, amounting to $400, it becomes a really excellent option for Sony mirrorless cameras owners. It is noticeably better than the more expensive Sony FE 85 mm f/1.8 and its small dimensions and weight are an important bonus.

Please Support Us

If you enjoy our reviews and articles, and you want us to continue our work please, support our website by donating through PayPal. The funds are going to be used for paying our editorial team, renting servers, and equipping our testing studio; only that way we will be able to continue providing you interesting content for free.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - advertisement - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

To sum up the Samyang AF 85 mm f/1.8 P is a good choice for these photographers who are looking for a small, moderately priced 85 mm instrument, are tolerant enough to turn a blind eye to several compromises, and don't intent to use this lens for filmmaking.