Samyang 85mm F1.8 ED UMC CS § 03 Head to head
Samyang 85mm F1.8 ED UMC CS vs Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8
Samyang 85mm f/1.8 is 108 g lighter. Zeiss 85mm f/1.8 has optical image stabilization.
Both lenses are made for the Sony E mount: the Samyang 85mm F1.8 ED UMC CS is an 85mm f/1.8 prime, and the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 is an 85mm f/1.8 prime. On paper the Samyang 85mm F1.8 ED UMC CS comes out ahead, 6 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Samyang 85mm F1.8 ED UMC CS 
Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 01
Key differences
Why is the Samyang 85mm F1.8 ED UMC CS better than the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8?
- 108 g lighter (344 g vs 452 g)
- Focuses 15 cm closer (0.65 m vs 0.8 m)
- Higher maximum magnification (0.17x vs 0.12x)
- Has a physical aperture ring
- Smaller filter thread (62 mm vs 67 mm)
- Newer design (2018 vs 2015)
Why is the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 better than the Samyang 85mm F1.8 ED UMC CS?
- Has optical image stabilization
- Is weather sealed
- Covers a larger sensor format (full-frame vs APS-C)
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Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Samyang 85mm F1.8 ED UMC CS has the edge: it is 108 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 | Samyang 85mm F1.8 ED UMC CS | Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 85mm | 85mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Telephoto prime lens | Short telephoto prime lens |
| Format | APS-C | Full Frame |
| Weight | 344 g (12.13 oz) ◆ | 452 g (1.00 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 67.5 mm (diameter) x 79.5 mm (length) | 105 mm (length) |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.65 m (2.13 ft) ◆ | 0.8 m (31.5 inches) |
| Maximum magnification | 0.17x ◆ | 0.12x |
| Image stabilization | No | Yes ◆ |
| Weather sealing | No | Yes ◆ |
| Aperture ring | Yes | No |
| Aperture blades | 9 | 9 |
| Optical construction | 9 elements in 7 groups (1 extra-low dispersion, 1 high refractive index) | 11 elements in 8 groups |
| Filter size | 62 mm ◆ | 67 mm |
| Lens mount | Sony E, Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Released | 2018 | 2015 |
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Sample frames
Samyang 85mm F1.8 ED UMC CS
Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Samyang 85mm F1.8 ED UMC CS or the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8?
- The Samyang 85mm F1.8 ED UMC CS weighs 344 g, 108 g less than the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 (452 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Samyang 85mm F1.8 ED UMC CS or the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8?
- The Samyang 85mm F1.8 ED UMC CS focuses down to 0.65 m, against 0.8 m for the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8.
- Do the Samyang 85mm F1.8 ED UMC CS 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 Samyang 85mm F1.8 ED UMC CS or the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Samyang 85mm F1.8 ED UMC CS has the edge: it is 108 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Samyang 85mm F1.8 ED UMC CS 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
- Meike 85 mm T2.2 Cine vs Samyang 85mm F1.8 ED UMC CS
- 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
- Rollei VAF 85 mm f/1.8 STM 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