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Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM A Mount Review

Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM

Main Features

  • 85mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 55mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 175g / 0.39 lb
  • Dimensions(øxL): 70mm x 52mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.6m
  • Max Magnification: 0.2x
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Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM Overview


Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF) Telephoto Prime lens with 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with A Mount cameras.

What type of photography is the Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM lens good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use the Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Suitability
Bird/WildlifeAverage
SportsGood
PortraitVery Good
TravelFair
StreetAverage
WeddingGood
Walk AroundFair
VloggingFair
LandscapeFair
MacroFair

Reasons to Buy Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM Lens

Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.

PROs
Autofocus
Distance Scale
Hood supplied
Covers Full-Frame Sensor
Light weight at only 175g / 6.2 oz
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Buy Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM from Amazon or B&H PHOTO


CONs
No Weather Sealing


Lens Mount

Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM is compatible with cameras that have a Sony Alpha lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony Alpha lenses are Sony A99 II, Sony A68 and Sony A77 II.


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Size, Weight and Filter Thread

Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM has a maximum diameter of 70mm and total length of 52mm. It weighs 175g / 6.2 oz.

Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM has a filter thread of 55mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM:

  • 55mm Variable ND Lens Filters
  • 55mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filters
  • 55mm Clear Protection Lens Filters




Focal Range

Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM has a fixed focal length of 85mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 127.5mm.


Optical Image Stabilization

Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM doesn't have an optical image stabilization system so the only option to stabilize the image taken with this lens is to mount on a camera body with IBIS (sensor based In-body image stabilization).

Alternatively, you can check the Tamron 85mm F1.8 VC in Sony Alpha mount that have similar focal range but features Optical Image Stabilization.

Lenses Similar to Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM With Optical Image Stabilization
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Tamron SP 85mm F1.8 Di VC USD Lens Tamron SP 85mm F1.8 Di VC USD
Compare
35mm FF 700gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD Macro Lens Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD Macro
Compare
35mm FF 609gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD 1-1 Macro Lens Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD 1-1 Macro
Compare
35mm FF 550gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.2x and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.6m.

Below are the 3 Telephoto Prime type Sony Alpha mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:

  • Sony 135mm F1.8 ZA: 0.25x - (Compare)
  • Sony 135mm F2.8 (T4.5) STF: 0.25x - (Compare)
  • Sony 300mm F2.8 G: 0.18x - (Compare)

Aperture

Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM has a max aperture of F2.8 and a minimum aperture of F22.0.

Optical Formula

Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM's optical formula consists of 5 elements in 4 groups .

Lens Hood

Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.

Body Colour

Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM is available in Black color.

Popular Comparisons of Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM

Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Sony 85mm F1.4 ZA Carl Zeiss Planar T Lens Sony 85mm F1.4 ZA Carl Zeiss Planar T
Compare
35mm FF 560 g / 1.23 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro Lens Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro
Compare
35mm FF 460 g / 1.01 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony 100mm F2.8 Macro Lens Sony 100mm F2.8 Macro
Compare
35mm FF 505 g / 1.11 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP AF 90mm F2.8 Di Macro Lens Tamron SP AF 90mm F2.8 Di Macro
Compare
35mm FF 405 g / 0.89 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Schneider PC-TS Macro-Symmar 4.590 HM Lens Schneider PC-TS Macro-Symmar 4.590 HM
Compare
35mm FF 1,110 g / 2.44 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Hartblei Superrotator 80mm F2.8 IF TS Lens Hartblei Superrotator 80mm F2.8 IF TS
Compare
35mm FF 850 g / 1.87 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 85mm F1.8 Di VC USD Lens Tamron SP 85mm F1.8 Di VC USD
Compare
35mm FF 700 g / 1.54 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Lens Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM
Compare
35mm FF 725 g / 1.60 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM Alternatives in Sony Alpha Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Sony 85mm F1.4 ZA Carl Zeiss Planar T Lens Sony 85mm F1.4 ZA Carl Zeiss Planar T
Compare
35mm FF 560 g / 1.23 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony 100mm F2.8 Macro Lens Sony 100mm F2.8 Macro
Compare
35mm FF 505 g / 1.11 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro Lens Sigma 70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro
Compare
35mm FF 527 g / 1.16 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Lens Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM
Compare
35mm FF 725 g / 1.60 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro Lens Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro
Compare
35mm FF 460 g / 1.01 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Samyang 85mm F1.4 Aspherical IF Lens Samyang 85mm F1.4 Aspherical IF
Compare
35mm FF 539 g / 1.19 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Schneider PC-TS Macro-Symmar 4.590 HM Lens Schneider PC-TS Macro-Symmar 4.590 HM
Compare
35mm FF 1110 g / 2.44 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Hartblei Superrotator 80mm F2.8 IF TS Lens Hartblei Superrotator 80mm F2.8 IF TS
Compare
35mm FF 850 g / 1.87 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 85mm F1.8 Di VC USD Lens Tamron SP 85mm F1.8 Di VC USD
Compare
35mm FF 700 g / 1.54 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD Macro Lens Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD Macro
Compare
35mm FF 609 g / 1.34 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Rokinon 85mm F1.4 Lens Rokinon 85mm F1.4
Compare
35mm FF 539 g / 1.19 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD 1-1 Macro Lens Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD 1-1 Macro
Compare
35mm FF 550 g / 1.21 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus Lens Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus
Compare
35mm FF 745 g / 1.64 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP AF 60mm F2 Di II LD IF Macro Lens Tamron SP AF 60mm F2 Di II LD IF Macro
Compare
APS-C / DX 400 g / 0.88 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP AF 90mm F2.8 Di Macro Lens Tamron SP AF 90mm F2.8 Di Macro
Compare
35mm FF 405 g / 0.89 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo

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Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Sony
Lens Type Prime
Lens Type Telephoto Prime
Lens Mount Sony Alpha
Max Format 35mm FF
Focal Range 85mm
Image Stabilization No
Colour Black
Zoom Method No Zoom
Power Zoom No Zoom
Zoom Lock No Zoom
Zoom Ratio 1.0X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F2.8
Min Aperture F22.0
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades 7
Optics
Optical Elements 5
Optical Groups 4

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 0.6m
Max Magnification 0.2X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Micromotor
Full Time Manual No
Focus Method Unit
Distance Scale Yes
DoF Scale No
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 175g
Diameter 70mm
Length 52mm
Weather Sealing No
Filter Thread 55mm
Filter Notes does not rotate on focus
Hood Supplied Yes
Tripod Collar No
Report a Correction
Frequently Asked Questions about Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM
is the Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM a Weather-sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM
is the Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM
Does Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM have Image Stabilization?
Does Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM


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