§ 03 Head to head

Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD vs Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8

Tamron 85mm f/1.8 focuses 5 cm closer. Yongnuo 85mm f/1.8 is 240 g lighter.

Both lenses are made for the Canon EF mount: the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD is an 85mm f/1.8 prime, and the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8 is an 85mm f/1.8 prime. On paper the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8 comes out ahead, 3 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD better than the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8?

  • Focuses 5 cm closer (0.8 m vs 0.85 m)
  • Has optical image stabilization

Why is the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8 better than the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD?

  • 240 g lighter (460 g vs 700 g)
  • 4 mm shorter (81 mm vs 84.8 mm long)
  • Smaller filter thread (58 mm vs 67 mm)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • portrait For portrait photography, the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8 has the edge: it is 240 g lighter to carry.
  • low-light For low-light shooting, the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD has the edge: it has optical image stabilization.
03

Specification

16 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationTamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USDYongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8
Focal length85mm 85mm
Maximum aperturef/1.8 f/1.8
Minimum aperturef/16 f/18
Lens typePrime lens Prime lens
FormatFull frame Full frame
Weight700 g (24.69 oz) 460 g (16.23 oz) ◆
Dimensions91.3 x 84.8 mm 79.5 x 81 mm
Minimum focusing distance0.8 m (31.50 inches) ◆0.85 m (33.46 inches)
Image stabilizationYes ◆No
Weather sealingYes —
Aperture ringNo No
Aperture blades9 9
Optical construction13 elements / 9 groups 9 elements / 6 groups
Filter size67 mm 58 mm ◆
Lens mountCanon EF, Nikon F Canon EF, Nikon F
Released2016 2016
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Tamron
  • B · Yongnuo
  • 84.8 × 91.3 mm
  • 81 × 79.5 mm

The Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD is 4 mm longer and 240 g heavier than the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD

Stuff on my speaker
Stuff on my speaker by Albert Taylor
Early morning low light
Early morning low light by Albert Taylor
Congress
Congress by 1tagtraeumer
Old industrial detail
Old industrial detail by mysterious-man

Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8

Pondy Streets
Pondy Streets by beagle17
20210212_02737
20210212_02737 by daidianyao
20210212_02661
20210212_02661 by daidianyao
20210212_02647
20210212_02647 by daidianyao
06

Video reviews

3 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD review 1
Video thumbnail for Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD review 2
Video thumbnail for Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8 review 1
07

Questions

Which is lighter, the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD or the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8?
The Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8 weighs 460 g, 240 g less than the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD (700 g).
Which focuses closer, the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD or the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8?
The Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD focuses down to 0.8 m, against 0.85 m for the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8.
Do the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD and the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8 have image stabilization?
Only the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD has optical image stabilization.
Is the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD or the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8 better for portrait photography?
For portrait photography, the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8 has the edge: it is 240 g lighter to carry.
Is the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD or the Yongnuo YN 85 mm f/1.8 better for low-light shooting?
For low-light shooting, the Tamron SP 85 mm f/1.8 Di VC USD has the edge: it has optical image stabilization.
08

Other comparisons