Rollei VAF 85 mm f/1.8 STM § 03 Head to head
Rollei VAF 85 mm f/1.8 STM vs Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8
Rollei 85mm f/1.8 has a more aperture blades. Zeiss 85mm f/1.8 is 25 g lighter.
Both lenses are made for the Sony E mount: the Rollei VAF 85 mm f/1.8 STM is an 85mm f/1.8 prime, and the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 is an 85mm f/1.8 prime. On paper they trade blows, with 3 advantages each.
Rollei VAF 85 mm f/1.8 STM 
Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 01
Key differences
Why is the Rollei VAF 85 mm f/1.8 STM better than the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8?
- More aperture blades (11 vs 9)
- Smaller filter thread (62 mm vs 67 mm)
- Newer design (2025 vs 2015)
Why is the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 better than the Rollei VAF 85 mm f/1.8 STM?
- 25 g lighter (452 g vs 477 g)
- Focuses 5 cm closer (0.8 m vs 0.85 m)
- Has optical image stabilization
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Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 has the edge: it is 25 g lighter to carry.
- low-light For low-light shooting, the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 has the edge: it has optical image stabilization.
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Specification
| Specification | Rollei VAF 85 mm f/1.8 STM | Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 85mm | 85mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Short telephoto prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full Frame |
| Weight | 477 g | 452 g (1.00 lbs) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 96 x 80 mm | 105 mm (length) |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.85 m | 0.8 m (31.5 inches) ◆ |
| Maximum magnification | 0.12x | 0.12x |
| Image stabilization | No | Yes ◆ |
| Weather sealing | — | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 11 ◆ | 9 |
| Optical construction | 10 elements / 7 groups | 11 elements in 8 groups |
| Filter size | 62 mm ◆ | 67 mm |
| Lens mount | Sony E, Nikon Z | Sony E |
| Released | 2025 | 2015 |
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Sample frames
Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Rollei VAF 85 mm f/1.8 STM or the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8?
- The Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 weighs 452 g, 25 g less than the Rollei VAF 85 mm f/1.8 STM (477 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Rollei VAF 85 mm f/1.8 STM or the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8?
- The Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 focuses down to 0.8 m, against 0.85 m for the Rollei VAF 85 mm f/1.8 STM.
- Do the Rollei VAF 85 mm f/1.8 STM and the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 have image stabilization?
- Only the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 has optical image stabilization.
- Is the Rollei VAF 85 mm f/1.8 STM or the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 has the edge: it is 25 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Rollei VAF 85 mm f/1.8 STM or the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 better for low-light shooting?
- For low-light shooting, the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 has the edge: it has optical image stabilization.
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Other comparisons
- Samyang 85mm F1.8 ED UMC CS vs Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8
- Meike 85 mm f/1.8 AF SE II vs Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8
- AstrHori 85 mm f/1.8 AF II vs Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8
- Samyang AF 85 mm f/1.8 P FE vs Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8
- Meike 85 mm f/1.8 AF Pro vs Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8
- 7Artisans AF 85 mm f/1.8 vs Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8
- AstrHori 85 mm f/1.8 AF vs Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8
- Meike 85 mm f/1.8 FF STM vs Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8