p.1 #1 · Batis 85mm 1.8 vs Sony 85mm 1.8 Image Quality
From anyone that has owned or used both could you share your thoughts on image quality between the two. Are there any appreciable differences in rendering,bokeh or sharpness?
p.1 #2 · Batis 85mm 1.8 vs Sony 85mm 1.8 Image Quality
They're both nice lenses but in pixel peeping I found the Batis to have more micro contrast and overall image sharpness. Also, I liked the way it looked a bit better as well.
p.1 #3 · Batis 85mm 1.8 vs Sony 85mm 1.8 Image Quality
1joel1 wrote:
They're both nice lenses but in pixel peeping I found the Batis to have more micro contrast and overall image sharpness. Also, I liked the way it looked a bit better as well.
Joel
Thanks for the feedback Joel. Which body were you using?
p.1 #4 · Batis 85mm 1.8 vs Sony 85mm 1.8 Image Quality
I did an 85mm shootout when I bought the 85 GM, both tests and on a work shoot. The Batis definitely has an edge over the Sony 1.8. It depends on what you need from an 85mm - the 1.8 is a great lens for its price. What you gain with the Batis - yep, microcontrast, maybe some colors, overall rendering - I didn't have a problem with sharpness on the 1.8 - may not be worth the extra $.
p.1 #5 · Batis 85mm 1.8 vs Sony 85mm 1.8 Image Quality
elizabeth77 wrote:
I did an 85mm shootout when I bought the 85 GM, both tests and on a work shoot. The Batis definitely has an edge over the Sony 1.8. It depends on what you need from an 85mm - the 1.8 is a great lens for its price. What you gain with the Batis - yep, microcontrast, maybe some colors, overall rendering - I didn't have a problem with sharpness on the 1.8 - may not be worth the extra $.
Thanks for the feedback Elizabeth. What body did you shoot with?
p.1 #6 · Batis 85mm 1.8 vs Sony 85mm 1.8 Image Quality
elizabeth77 wrote:
I did an 85mm shootout when I bought the 85 GM, both tests and on a work shoot. The Batis definitely has an edge over the Sony 1.8. It depends on what you need from an 85mm - the 1.8 is a great lens for its price. What you gain with the Batis - yep, microcontrast, maybe some colors, overall rendering - I didn't have a problem with sharpness on the 1.8 - may not be worth the extra $.
I agree. Primarily found that the Batis 85 does much better from a chromatic aberration and flare standpoint when shot in high contrast conditions. The Sony FE would lose contrast quicker when shot into backlit scenes, whereas the Batis I've shot during sunsets quite a for portraits and am generally very impressed. Sharpness between the two is comparable but when you make corrections for CA especially, this might degrade image quality depending on what you shoot. Also the built-in stabilization is nice but not as noticeable on bodies with IBIS of course.
p.1 #7 · Batis 85mm 1.8 vs Sony 85mm 1.8 Image Quality
Phillip Reeve's site has a very good review of the 85mm Batis in which the reviewer (Bastian K?) compares it to the Sony f1.8. That should hopefully answer your questions.
p.1 #8 · Batis 85mm 1.8 vs Sony 85mm 1.8 Image Quality
I have a Sony A7R II and an A7R III.
I bought the Batis 85mm after Sony introduced the 1,8/85mm. I did not consider the GM 85mm - probably better than both 1,8/85s - because I already have an Otus 85mm as premium portrait lens, so I was looking for a small, lightweight 85mm f/1.8ish with very good performance.
I thoroughly checked both 1,8/85mm, Batis and Sony, since I was very tempted by the Sony's even lower weight, more compact barrel and cheaper price, but I liked the Batis' image quality better.
I prefer its rendering in general. Going into details I saw these differences:
1. micro-contrast is better in the Batis, but the Sony is very good too;
2. the Batis is not free of longitudinal chromatic aberration, but it's visibly better corrected than the Sony;
3. for me, the most striking difference, though, was how well the Batis preserves its excellent image quality at close range (portrait distance) even wide open, the Sony is much weaker there. This point made my decision easy.
p.1 #10 · Batis 85mm 1.8 vs Sony 85mm 1.8 Image Quality
Rehype wrote:
Thanks for the feedback Elizabeth. What body did you shoot with?
It wasn't long after the 85 1.8 was released, so I believe it was the a7r2. FWIW, the only lenses that made it to a paid shoot were the GM and the Batis. I shot them interchangeably (newborn portrait shoot) and did not look at EXIF til I had picked some keepers; the GM won out but the Batis was very good.
p.1 #12 · Batis 85mm 1.8 vs Sony 85mm 1.8 Image Quality
SoundHound wrote:
The Sony is well priced, light and handy and will AF rapidly for action use (Eye AF and tracking) beating the Batis and most other 85 lenses.
I actually found the AF to be fastest with the Batis 85 compared to the Sony, and the GM the slowest of the three. Guessing this was Sony's intention, as it gives us a budget option, a technically optimized one, and a dreamy faster aperture portrait one.
p.1 #13 · Batis 85mm 1.8 vs Sony 85mm 1.8 Image Quality
I switched for the same reasons below from Sony to Batis. It also helps that used the two aren't nearly as far apart in price.
EstherSP wrote:
I agree. Primarily found that the Batis 85 does much better from a chromatic aberration and flare standpoint when shot in high contrast conditions. The Sony FE would lose contrast quicker when shot into backlit scenes, whereas the Batis I've shot during sunsets quite a for portraits and am generally very impressed. Sharpness between the two is comparable but when you make corrections for CA especially, this might degrade image quality depending on what you shoot. Also the built-in stabilization is nice but not as noticeable on bodies with IBIS of course.
p.1 #17 · Batis 85mm 1.8 vs Sony 85mm 1.8 Image Quality
I’ve had all 3,shot on A7RIII & A7III (Batis & GM). They are priced in the right order. Batis is better than Sony,GM is better than Batis. However,I still didn’t like the price difference in Batis & GM so I kept the Batis. It does its job well.
p.1 #18 · Batis 85mm 1.8 vs Sony 85mm 1.8 Image Quality
3catsinky wrote:
Batis vs GM?
GM hands down, but the Batis is still lovely. I think everyone's placed it pretty similarly:
FE 85 1.8 : Great lens, sharp, snappy AF, ton of bang for the buck
Batis: Also great, fast AF, with an IQ edge on the FE in several areas. Better as a used buy where the price difference is not so great from the Sony FE 1.8.
GM: Obviously fastest lens, a bit bigger/heavier, superb rendering. AF used to be quite slow and with latest firmware is now just "not the fastest".
Personally I love my 85 GM and it's the prime I take absolutely everywhere, but I am primarily a portrait shooter so that's my bread and butter
p.1 #19 · Batis 85mm 1.8 vs Sony 85mm 1.8 Image Quality
Take a look at the Samyang 85/1.4. Incredible value for money. I swore after I sold my Batis 85 that I had done with the 85 FL. Then I picked up the Samyang just to cover a need - now I can't put it down. It goes everywhere with me. fStoppers have a nice comparison vs GM on YT. Whilst they may go a little overboard praising the Samyang I don't disagree with too much.
p.1 #20 · Batis 85mm 1.8 vs Sony 85mm 1.8 Image Quality
Maximilian wrote:
I prefer its rendering in general. Going into details I saw these differences:
1. micro-contrast is better in the Batis, but the Sony is very good too;
2. the Batis is not free of longitudinal chromatic aberration, but it's visibly better corrected than the Sony;
3. for me, the most striking difference, though, was how well the Batis preserves its excellent image quality at close range (portrait distance) even wide open, the Sony is much weaker there. This point made my decision easy.
I tested the Batis 85 on the A7R II and I own the FE 85mm f/1.8 on the A7R IV. I agree with your first two points and would add better flare resistance on the Batis as well, and I generally slightly prefer the Batis rendering. I disagree on the sharpness, though. My FE 85 is extremely sharp wide open at portrait distances, even on the A7R IV.
