The Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO has officially arrived, introducing the company’s new EVO lineup for Sony full-frame cameras. This compact 85mm portrait lens is designed to balance performance, size, and price for creators who want a lightweight option in this classic focal length.
Over the last five years, Chinese third-party lenses have become a much bigger part of the mirrorless market. Brands like Viltrox, SIRUI, and 7artisans have helped fill the space left by major manufacturers such as Sony, Nikon, and Canon, whose own lens ecosystems have become increasingly expensive. By offering more budget-friendly options with practical features, these companies have opened the door for many new shooters looking to expand their kit.
We recently covered the Viltrox 15mm f/1.7 AIR, a small wide-angle lens that demonstrated how compact Viltrox designs can get. The Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO follows that same idea in the portrait category, with a focus on portability, ease of use, and familiar handling for Sony users.
Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO key featuresFull-Frame Coverage | f/2 to f/16 Aperture RangeFast Portrait-Length PrimeNano-Coating and Resistance Coating2 ED & 2 HR Lens Elements10 Elements in 8 Groups9-Blade DiaphragmMinimum Focus Distance: 2.43 ft (0.74 m)STM Stepping Motor with Manual Focus Override58mm Front Filter ThreadUSB-C Port for Firmware Updates
Image credit: ViltroxCompact design and everyday usability
At just 340 grams / .74 lbs, the Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO is the smallest and lightest full-frame 85mm lens in the company’s lineup. It feels well balanced on Sony mirrorless bodies and has a durable build with an aluminum alloy mount. This mix of portability and sturdiness makes it suitable for portrait sessions, travel photography, and general-purpose shooting.
The lens design emphasizes tactile control. A dedicated Function (Fn) button, a click switch, and an AF/MF toggle allow for quick adjustments without digging through menus. These straightforward physical controls make operation simple and direct.
Image credit: ViltroxOptical performance and character
The optical design includes 10 elements in 8 groups, with two ED and two HR elements working together to minimize aberrations and preserve contrast across the frame. As with most lenses, sharpness typically improves when stopping down to around f/4 or f/5.6, offering more consistent detail from center to corner.
Third-party lenses often show their greatest variation in performance when shot wide open, and it will be interesting to see how the Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO handles that once it’s in the field. On paper, the combination of optical coatings, ED and HR elements, and a relatively bright f/2 aperture suggests that Viltrox is aiming for a capable and balanced design at this focal length.
Autofocus and build quality
Autofocus is powered by a stepping motor (STM), providing quiet and responsive focusing for both photography and video. Manual focus override is said to feel smooth and well-damped, allowing for finer adjustments when needed.
The housing appears to be solid while remaining lightweight. The mount is aluminum alloy, and the rest of the body uses materials designed for regular use without adding unnecessary heft. A rubber-sealed mount and a smudge-resistant front element coating add light weather resistance. Firmware can be updated directly through the built-in USB-C port, allowing for future camera compatibility support.
Image credit: ViltroxMy take
I’m not a Sony shooter, but I used to be. I usually work with Canon and RED cameras. Still, the growing number of third-party Sony autofocus lenses has me tempted to switch back. With options from Viltrox, Tamron, and SIGMA, Sony shooters can experiment more easily and find lenses that suit their workflow.
What stands out about the Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO is how practical it looks. It’s small, light, and designed for straightforward everyday use. I probably wouldn’t shoot at 85mm on a gimbal very often, but it’s nice to have that focal length in a lens so light you’ll barely notice it in your bag. At this price point, it’s an interesting new option for Sony shooters looking to expand their kit without going all-in on higher-end glass.
Image credit: ViltroxPrice and availability
The Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO is listed at $275, and is available to purchase now.
For more information about the lens, visit Viltrox’s official site.
What do you think? Does the price, size, and weight of the Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO make you consider switching 3rd party lenses? Share your thoughts in the comments below.