Viltrox EVO
p.1 #1Viltrox EVO
Viltrox started another new EVO line with a 85mm f2.0 small, rather light lens, but with good glass! And a very good price!
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-viltrox-af-85mm-2-0-fe-evo/#more-78472
https://sonyalpha.blog/2025/10/20/viltrox-85mm-f2-evo/
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-viltrox-af-85mm-2-0-fe-evo/#more-78472
https://sonyalpha.blog/2025/10/20/viltrox-85mm-f2-evo/
Oct 21, 2025 at 08:39 AM
p.1 #2Viltrox EVO
Will I say goodbye to my big and heavy Zeiss Batis 85mm f1.8, but with nice rendering?
Oct 21, 2025 at 08:42 AM
p.1 #3Viltrox EVO
I’m asking the same question. Mine has shipped. I’ll post a comparison as soon as I can. I’m using the Zeiss on a shoot right now. fwiw, I don't find the Batis to be a large and heavy lens at all, it's quite compact for an 85, much smaller than the 851.8S Z mount. I plan to use the Viltrox as an 85 for my Z8, and a travel lens. However, if the images are superb, I'll sell the batis and get something else.
Edited on Oct 21, 2025 at 07:07 PM · View previous versions
Edited on Oct 21, 2025 at 07:07 PM · View previous versions
Oct 21, 2025 at 12:02 PM
p.1 #4Viltrox EVO
Bastian’s review is excellent. If I didn’t already own the wonderfully sharp and small Sigma 90/2.8, this lens would be tempting.
Oct 21, 2025 at 12:56 PM
p.1 #5Viltrox EVO
mudlake wrote:
Bastian’s review is excellent. If I didn’t already own the wonderfully sharp and small Sigma 90/2.8, this lens would be tempting.
Exactly. As I don't have the Sigma I ordered the EVO85.
Bastian’s review is excellent. If I didn’t already own the wonderfully sharp and small Sigma 90/2.8, this lens would be tempting.
Exactly. As I don't have the Sigma I ordered the EVO85.
Oct 21, 2025 at 01:19 PM
p.1 #6Viltrox EVO
Jonas B wrote:
Exactly. As I don't have the Sigma I ordered the EVO85.
Very good! Be sure to let us know what you think of it.
mudlake wrote
Bastian’s review is excellent. If I didn’t already own the wonderfully sharp and small Sigma 90/2.8, this lens would be tempting.Very good! Be sure to let us know what you think of it.
Oct 21, 2025 at 01:21 PM
p.1 #8Viltrox EVO
Got my copy today. Very impressive little lens. Has a great feel! AF is quick and snappy. Very sharp. I’ll post some Batis comparisons tomorrow.
ILCE-7CM2 Viltrox 85mm F2.0 FE lens 85mm f/2.0 1/100s 3200 ISO 0.0 EV
Oct 23, 2025 at 04:22 PM
p.1 #9Viltrox EVO
Your cat's expression looks like there is a herring on top of the camera!
If I may make a simple request, could you just shoot one image from each lens just like either of these - close focus with background content. I have a deep interest in how lenses form bokeh, Zeiss is a known fast-fade outfit by their own statements, so it would be wonderful to see what the difference is.
In general, the Chinese makers don't like losing the background into an abstract painting style. And 50mm is a great middle focal length to show what is happening. thanks for posting.
If I may make a simple request, could you just shoot one image from each lens just like either of these - close focus with background content. I have a deep interest in how lenses form bokeh, Zeiss is a known fast-fade outfit by their own statements, so it would be wonderful to see what the difference is.
In general, the Chinese makers don't like losing the background into an abstract painting style. And 50mm is a great middle focal length to show what is happening. thanks for posting.
Oct 23, 2025 at 07:19 PM
p.1 #10Viltrox EVO
I'd be interested in a comparison between this and the Samyang 75mm 1.8
Oct 24, 2025 at 12:55 AM
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p.1 #11Viltrox EVO
OK, so here is a quick comparison shooting between F2-F3.5 (not enough space for F4 pics) Camera neutral. I only adjusted exposure. Sony A7C2
ILCE-7CM2 Viltrox 85mm F2.0 FE lens 85mm f/2.0 1/200s 100 ISO 0.0 EV
ILCE-7CM2 ZEISS Batis 1.8/85 lens 85mm f/2.0 1/200s 100 ISO 0.0 EV
ILCE-7CM2 Viltrox 85mm F2.0 FE lens 85mm f/2.2 1/200s 100 ISO 0.0 EV
ILCE-7CM2 ZEISS Batis 1.8/85 lens 85mm f/2.2 1/200s 100 ISO 0.0 EV
ILCE-7CM2 Viltrox 85mm F2.0 FE lens 85mm f/2.5 1/200s 100 ISO 0.0 EV
ILCE-7CM2 ZEISS Batis 1.8/85 lens 85mm f/2.5 1/200s 100 ISO 0.0 EV
ILCE-7CM2 Viltrox 85mm F2.0 FE lens 85mm f/2.8 1/200s 100 ISO 0.0 EV
ILCE-7CM2 Viltrox 85mm F2.0 FE lens 85mm f/3.2 1/200s 100 ISO 0.0 EV
ILCE-7CM2 ZEISS Batis 1.8/85 lens 85mm f/3.2 1/125s 100 ISO 0.0 EV
ILCE-7CM2 Viltrox 85mm F2.0 FE lens 85mm f/3.5 1/160s 100 ISO 0.0 EV
ILCE-7CM2 ZEISS Batis 1.8/85 lens 85mm f/3.5 1/125s 100 ISO 0.0 EV
Oct 24, 2025 at 09:57 AM
p.1 #13Viltrox EVO
Seems the Batis bokeh balls are a little larger and softer, I didn't think 1.8 vs/ 2.0 would make much difference, but the Viltrox seems to have a little more detail in the in-focus areas. The Batis seems to render a hair brighter over all, but they are pretty dern close on rendering over-all.
Thanks for posting, those are helpful comparisons.
Eric
Thanks for posting, those are helpful comparisons.
Eric
Oct 24, 2025 at 11:01 AM
p.1 #14Viltrox EVO
I noticed that also, the Batis is a little brighter. focus is also more accurate, I noticed the Viltrox jump off the orb a couple of times whereas the Batis stayed on it. Ill have to play with it further. My main use of this lens is a cheap 85 for my Z8, but it will also be my sony 85 travel lens.
Oct 24, 2025 at 11:10 AM
p.1 #15Viltrox EVO
3catsinky wrote:
I noticed that also, the Batis is a little brighter. focus is also more accurate, I noticed the Viltrox jump off the orb a couple of times whereas the Batis stayed on it. Ill have to play with it further. My main use of this lens is a cheap 85 for my Z8, but it will also be my sony 85 travel lens.
Interesting about the focus... makes me wonder if it's the difference in brightness effecting the focus lock or just something in the coding that a firmware update at some point will enhance. Thanks for the confirmation and additional info.
Eric
I noticed that also, the Batis is a little brighter. focus is also more accurate, I noticed the Viltrox jump off the orb a couple of times whereas the Batis stayed on it. Ill have to play with it further. My main use of this lens is a cheap 85 for my Z8, but it will also be my sony 85 travel lens.
Interesting about the focus... makes me wonder if it's the difference in brightness effecting the focus lock or just something in the coding that a firmware update at some point will enhance. Thanks for the confirmation and additional info.
Eric
Oct 24, 2025 at 11:35 AM
p.1 #17Viltrox EVO
I didn’t even notice it until I saw your post. I don’t mind the look at all
Oct 24, 2025 at 03:30 PM
p.1 #18Viltrox EVO
(It’s important to see these images at longer distances, around the diagonal times two – you see the images better, both as a whole and how each image object fits into the whole – the gestalt view.)
It’s reassuring when lens makers are consistent. Zeiss apply this very soft billowy out-of-focus overlay to their modern lenses in both cine and stills photography. This means the image contents are embedded deeper inside the ‘fog’ of more advanced bokeh. The bokeh dominates. It’s a key component of the Zeiss bokeh style, and they call the formula ‘3D Pop’.
Viltrox have adopted a bokeh style that is less concerned with rapid blur transitions, and se we see (f2) more visual cues still present in the fence posts, and the chairs are identifiable as such. Blacks are blacker and less blue, the image divides into trees, fence and lawn, where the Zeiss image has all objects more or less buried or heavily distorted – no one will want to climb that tree on the right side.
The Zeiss image’s color is not pleasant. Greens are more lemon colored, and the image is cooler.
The frame is noticeably tighter due to the lens’s large degree of focus breathing (many 85s are 90s at short focus distances).
YouTube demo of Batis 85mm focus breathing title:
‘Zeiss Batis 85mm f1.8 Focus Breathing Test’
Zeiss’s PR material touts their bokeh as directing your eye to the in-focus material, but the paradox here is that the huge bokeh ball field of the Batis is very ‘in your face’ and itself attracts (steals) the visual attention. Reds and oranges are subdued (the blue overlay of the image). Macro-contrast is lower.
Highlights drift off the top left of the frame, the Viltrox corners direct the eye back into the centre – the time-honored cine method. The Zeiss at f2.8 has about the same discernible detail as the Viltrox at f2. This is why wide-open images give us great clues about the pattern of focus-fade at mid-apertures – the pattern does not actually change, it simply concentrates more.
At f3.5, the Zeiss is still foggy with heavier bokeh. Some emerging balls (chairs, the close-by branch middle right) replace the increasing softly drawn detail seen in the Viltrox lens. The Viltrox’s balls are more serene, less ‘pushy’. The Batis is also showing several jagged edge balls, one unfortunately right behind the subject (above and to the left), and there is no consistency to ball treatment across the frame.
The Viltrox crop has more life, more contrast and very good highlight control. As a result, the subject is better shaped, the Batis version is flatter, and sombre. You may find the histos are quite different too.
Rounding out, Batis 85 (Viltrox EVO): weight 450g (340g); MFD 0.8m (0.74m); filters 67mm (58mm); iris blades 9 (9); W/L 92mm x 92mm (69mm x 76mm), RRP $1250 ($275) – ratio 4.5x. Actually, the Viltrox site lists it at $261, with 5% more off.
Congrats, 3catsinky, you have managed to do a more informative comparative bokeh review than just about everyone else. I’ll save this one.
PS Many people here (some of my haters too) think this effect quoted below is impossible, but it is one of my criteria for image dimensionality, such is the effect I see from my Thypoch lenses. They use high refractive glass too (this Viltrox lens has a 2/2 ED/HRI balance). I believe it’s the HRI they use that is great for portraits. Minus the PR fluff, this is it:
‘Under natural daylight, the lens renders skin tones with depth and fidelity. Each highlight and texture remains crisp yet organic, balancing vibrant contrast with delicate tonal transitions. Faces feel alive, sculpted by the precision of optical refinement.’ ‘When shadows fall, the wide F2.0 aperture gathers every fragment of light into luminous detail.’
https://viltrox.com/products/af-85mm-f2-0-fe
(Their websites are a pleasure to read, nicely laid out, informative.)
It’s reassuring when lens makers are consistent. Zeiss apply this very soft billowy out-of-focus overlay to their modern lenses in both cine and stills photography. This means the image contents are embedded deeper inside the ‘fog’ of more advanced bokeh. The bokeh dominates. It’s a key component of the Zeiss bokeh style, and they call the formula ‘3D Pop’.
Viltrox have adopted a bokeh style that is less concerned with rapid blur transitions, and se we see (f2) more visual cues still present in the fence posts, and the chairs are identifiable as such. Blacks are blacker and less blue, the image divides into trees, fence and lawn, where the Zeiss image has all objects more or less buried or heavily distorted – no one will want to climb that tree on the right side.
The Zeiss image’s color is not pleasant. Greens are more lemon colored, and the image is cooler.
The frame is noticeably tighter due to the lens’s large degree of focus breathing (many 85s are 90s at short focus distances).
YouTube demo of Batis 85mm focus breathing title:
‘Zeiss Batis 85mm f1.8 Focus Breathing Test’
Zeiss’s PR material touts their bokeh as directing your eye to the in-focus material, but the paradox here is that the huge bokeh ball field of the Batis is very ‘in your face’ and itself attracts (steals) the visual attention. Reds and oranges are subdued (the blue overlay of the image). Macro-contrast is lower.
Highlights drift off the top left of the frame, the Viltrox corners direct the eye back into the centre – the time-honored cine method. The Zeiss at f2.8 has about the same discernible detail as the Viltrox at f2. This is why wide-open images give us great clues about the pattern of focus-fade at mid-apertures – the pattern does not actually change, it simply concentrates more.
At f3.5, the Zeiss is still foggy with heavier bokeh. Some emerging balls (chairs, the close-by branch middle right) replace the increasing softly drawn detail seen in the Viltrox lens. The Viltrox’s balls are more serene, less ‘pushy’. The Batis is also showing several jagged edge balls, one unfortunately right behind the subject (above and to the left), and there is no consistency to ball treatment across the frame.
The Viltrox crop has more life, more contrast and very good highlight control. As a result, the subject is better shaped, the Batis version is flatter, and sombre. You may find the histos are quite different too.
Rounding out, Batis 85 (Viltrox EVO): weight 450g (340g); MFD 0.8m (0.74m); filters 67mm (58mm); iris blades 9 (9); W/L 92mm x 92mm (69mm x 76mm), RRP $1250 ($275) – ratio 4.5x. Actually, the Viltrox site lists it at $261, with 5% more off.
Congrats, 3catsinky, you have managed to do a more informative comparative bokeh review than just about everyone else. I’ll save this one.
PS Many people here (some of my haters too) think this effect quoted below is impossible, but it is one of my criteria for image dimensionality, such is the effect I see from my Thypoch lenses. They use high refractive glass too (this Viltrox lens has a 2/2 ED/HRI balance). I believe it’s the HRI they use that is great for portraits. Minus the PR fluff, this is it:
‘Under natural daylight, the lens renders skin tones with depth and fidelity. Each highlight and texture remains crisp yet organic, balancing vibrant contrast with delicate tonal transitions. Faces feel alive, sculpted by the precision of optical refinement.’ ‘When shadows fall, the wide F2.0 aperture gathers every fragment of light into luminous detail.’
https://viltrox.com/products/af-85mm-f2-0-fe
(Their websites are a pleasure to read, nicely laid out, informative.)
Oct 24, 2025 at 03:56 PM
p.1 #19Viltrox EVO
I think it's probably time to sell the Batis. Even though I just used it to shoot 3 days of video interviews. I think I'd like to try the Siriu Aurora. The video I have seen on it, it has amazing bokeh. Glad I could finally contribute a meaningful comparison 
Oct 24, 2025 at 04:13 PM
p.1 #20Viltrox EVO
The Batis is a very fine lens, make no mistake. It's why I now try to remove all but the facts as seen and read. This new one is a surprise, and of course we need to see much more from it, but it's a fine start.
Aurora 85 is very attractive, even to 3D lovers. Beautiful bokeh. Not many people are prepared to do this, so you definitely deserve our thanks. We learn with each image, and doubly so if it's a comparison.
Aurora 85 is very attractive, even to 3D lovers. Beautiful bokeh. Not many people are prepared to do this, so you definitely deserve our thanks. We learn with each image, and doubly so if it's a comparison.
Oct 24, 2025 at 06:25 PM