Quick answer
A light 85mm prime for A-mount, with a SAM motor and a 55mm filter thread. It weighs about 175 g, much lighter than most short telephoto lenses.
Pros
- Very light at about 175 g
- SAM autofocus
- Full-frame coverage
- 55mm filter thread
Cons
- f/2.8 gives less blur than faster 85mm lenses
- Plastic build
- 7-blade aperture
Verdict
A good first portrait lens for A-mount. It is light and sharp enough for most uses.
About this lens
A 85mm f/2.8 short-telephoto prime lens, the Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM (SAL85F28) is designed for Sony A mount bodies. The focal length is a classic choice for portraits and details.
Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM (SAL85F28) specifications
- Brand
- Sony
- Mount
- Sony A
- Focal length
- 85mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/2.8
- Lens type
- Prime
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 2010
- Optical construction
- 5 elements in 4 groups
- Aperture blades
- 7
- Autofocus motor
- SAM
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.6 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.2x
- Filter thread
- 55 mm
- Weight
- 175 g
- Length
- 52 mm
Specification source: dyxum.com
What can you shoot with the Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM (SAL85F28)?
- Beginner portraits
- Travel and street portraits
- Light carry for A-mount
Its bright maximum aperture handles indoor and evening light reasonably well.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 85mm | 23.9° | 28.6° |
| APS-C | 1.5x | 128mm | 16.1° | 19.3° |
Frequently asked questions
How does the Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM compare with the Zeiss 85mm f/1.4?
The Zeiss is a stop and a half faster and has a more distinctive look, but it is far heavier at about 640 g. The 85mm f/2.8 SAM weighs about 175 g.
Is the Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM a full-frame lens?
Yes. It covers full frame, and on APS-C A-mount bodies it behaves like a lens of about 128mm.
What focus motor does the Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM use?
It has a SAM (Smooth Autofocus Motor) in the lens, so it autofocuses on any A-mount body, including adapters with lens-motor support.
Alternatives for Sony A from other brands
All Sony A lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
