Samyang AF 85 mm f/1.8 P FE review - Image resolution

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Samyang AF 85 mm f/1.8 P FE

17 November 2025

Maciej Latałło

4. Image resolution

Our resolution test (resolution meaning the MTF50 function values) of Sony FE lenses is based on RAW files from the 42.4 Mpix sensor of the Sony A7R II, the Sony A7R III, or the Sony A7R IIIa cameras. In the case of this kind of detector the decency level we set about 39-41 lpmm and the best fixed focal lenses have been able to reach about 80 lpmm. Record-breaking lenses are able to exceed 85 lpmm or even get near 90 lpmm and so far, our list of these record-breakers features the following devices: the Sigma A 17-40 mm f/1.8 DC (89.9 lpmm), the Meike 85 mm f/1.4 FF STM (90.2 lpmm), and the Sony FE 50 mm f/1.4 GM (90.9 lpmm).

Let's see how the Samyang AF 85 mm f/1.8 P compares here – its results in the frame centre and on the edge of the APS-C/DX sensor and on the edge of full frame presents a graph below.

Samyang AF 85 mm f/1.8 P FE - Image resolution

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One glance and you can notice three important things. Firstly, in the frame centre the performance is really praiseworthy, with results exceeding 60 lpmm already at the maximum relative aperture. Secondly, on stopping down you are able to reach a very good level of almost 75 lpmm. Thirdly, the edge of the frame lags very distinctly behind the performance in the centre.

All these results are far easier to analyse if you compare them to the results of the direct rivals of the tested Samyang. Let's start with the frame centre – an appropriate graph is presented below.

Samyang really cared about the area near the maximum relative aperture, a very interesting fact to notice. It fares the best out of all group of lenses, described here, even these much more expensive models. Only after stopping down to f/2.8 the Panasonic and the Nikkor are able to prevail.

The Sony is definitely the weakest here and it is a very bad piece of news for this company, especially that their lens costs now about $650 and the Samyang is $250 cheaper.

Now let's check a similar comparison for the edge of the APS-C/DX sensor.

Here the most expensive Nikkor doesn't leave any doubts about the winner. The Panasonic is outperformed slightly by the Samyang only in the nearest areas of the maximum relative aperture and the Sony once again fares the weakest.

Now let's find out how the situation changes when you pass to the edge of full frame by analysing the next graph.

Small dimensions of the Samyang become a liability here – it loses the duel to the Nikkor and the Panasonic but still it defeates the more expensive Sony model with ease. To sum up, taking into account the price, dimensions, and the weight of the tested Samyang we are very pleasantly surprised by its performance. In the frame centre and on the edge of the APS-C/DX sensor it fares very well, momentarily even exceedingly well. If you want to search for weak spots there is just the performance by f/1.8 and f/2.0 on the edge of full frame but even there the MTFs are brushing against the decency level, a completely forgivable slip-up if you keep the price and the physical dimensions in your mind.

At the end of this chapter, traditionally, we present crops from the photos of our resolution testing chart taken from JPEG files that we saved alongside RAW files, used for the analysis above.

A7R IIIa, JPEG, 85 mm, f/1.8