'Lightweight, razor-sharp, and budget-friendly' — why I’m not taking the Viltrox 85mm f/2 EVO off my camera

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'Lightweight, razor-sharp, and budget-friendly' — why I’m not taking the Viltrox 85mm f/2 EVO off my camera Features By Alex Whitelock published 1 February 2026

Only an alleged Nikon vs Viltrox lawsuit can rain on this lens' parade

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Over the past few weeks, I've been testing out the new Viltrox 85mm f/2 EVO, and I have to say, it's a fantastic lens that once again proves the Chinese brand can make stellar optics for a fraction of the price of some first-party options.

We've been fans of Viltrox for a while now at TechRadar, but it's safe to say this EVO is already a firm favorite of mine. It's a short-telephoto prime that's lightweight, razor-sharp, and budget-friendly. Honestly, what's not to like?

Well, it's a lens that's awkwardly debuting at a time when there's seemingly a Nikon vs Viltrox lawsuit looming. That's a potentially serious situation that could take the wind out of this lens' sails - or, at the very least, make it a pricier buy than the $275 / £265 it's currently listed for.

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And, that's a shame because I've been loving this lens and would otherwise heartily recommend it. It's available for Nikon Z, Sony E, and Fuji X mounts, but I've been testing the potentially ill-fated Nikon version exclusively, so that news feels particularly acute right now.

It's also a potential kicker because the lens is really well-positioned on the Z mount currently. Sony has a few great compact options like the Sigma 90mm f/2.8 DG DN, but the pickings are slimmer on Nikon's more sparsely populated full-frame mount.

But for now, at least, here's why this remains a fantastic option for Nikon Z users - and by extension Sony and Fuji users too, who have the distinct luxury of not having to worry about whether this lens will be available in the future or not.

Improving on an already-great formula

Image 1 of 2The Viltrox 85mm f/2 EVO next to the slightly older Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)Previous samples from the f/1.8(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)Viltrox 85mm f/2 EVO info

Weight: 340g / 12ozAperture: f/2 to f/16Price: $275 / £265Mounts: Sony E, Fujifilm X, Nikon ZAvailable at Viltrox and Amazon

This isn't my first experience with Viltrox's offerings - in fact, I've been very partial to the brand's first 85mm f/1.8 Z. I've had that lens for a few years now, and it's been a staple in my bag - particularly when I, like many photographers, took it on my obligatory trip to Japan.

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That lens was (and still is) very, very good; It's just kind of heavy at 19.3oz/548g. At the time, I specifically stated that I'd be happy to lose a few stops of aperture for a less dense lens, so on paper, the EVO is pretty much exactly what I was asking for from the brand.

And, I have to say, I think the EVO might actually be sharper than its f/1.8 cousin. I don't have any fangled MFT charts or studio scenes to compare specifics, but I have shot thousands of images with the older lens and almost a thousand with the EVO.

My impression is that the EVO is a little sharper and a little less contrasty. Scientific, I know, but the images are particularly sharp out of this new 85mm. I think the images have slightly less character, but the rendering is more modern. It reminds me a lot of the various Sigma primes that I've tried over the past few years, which always have a nice, crisp look to them.

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The older f/1.8, by comparison, has a kind of flattering softness that I think really lends itself to portraits. It's definitely not a soft lens by any stretch, but it just renders in a very lovely, natural-looking manner. In terms of character, it's definitely my favorite of the two lenses overall and still a great pick if you're looking for a traditional portrait lens.

Today's best Viltrox AF 85mm F2.0 EVO deals SG$368View SG$501.54ViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best pricesImage 1 of 2The Viltrox 85mm f/2 EVO is lightweight and compact(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)The new aperture ring is a highlight(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)

I do think the EVO is the better package overall right now, however. It's objectively still a very good lens optically, and Viltrox has really taken the design to another level with this iteration.

Not only are the weight savings hard to ignore (340 vs 550g), but you now get a fully weather-sealed lens for a very respectable price. On the outside? An FN button, AF/MF switch, and a lovely aperture ring that pairs beautifully with Nikon's Z cameras.

Both lenses are built very nicely, out of metal, but the EVO now also thankfully includes a lens hood and cap that aren't complete garbage. I never understood why Viltrox included such bad plastic fittings on these nicely built premium-feeling lenses before, but now the brand has fully corrected that issue with plastics that won't annoyingly rattle or come loose in your bag.

This 85mm is perfect for street photography

Image 1 of 2Viltrox 85mm f/2 EVO sample shot(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)

This lens has been glued to my Nikon

I generally carry an 85mm in my kit bag at all times because I think it's one of the most versatile primes. If you're used to wider lenses, then an 85mm can feel a little restrictive at first. Once you get used to it, however, it's a fantastic focal length that can let you isolate subjects, create abstraction, and play with depth of field.

I particularly love an 85mm for street photography - and that's a use case that the EVO is almost tailor-made for. Its size naturally makes it a little less conspicuous than most 85mm primes, while the weather sealing is absolutely fantastic for adverse conditions while out on the street - or travelling, for that matter.

Because it's so small, it's also a lens that you can throw in your bag just in case. Even if you're not someone who naturally gravitates towards a closer lens, the EVO is a really compelling package that's not just light in the bag, but light on the pocket, too.

I think I'll still pack the other Viltrox 85mm for portrait sessions, but otherwise, the EVO feels like the natural choice. I usually judge a lens on whether it inspires me to shoot, and the EVO has been glued to my Nikon Z6 for over a month now, so there must be something in it.

Get it while you can?

Image 1 of 2Viltrox 85mm f/2 EVO sample shot(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)

It's been pretty interesting to read about the murmurs of an impending legal battle between Nikon and Viltrox while testing this lens. Praise aside, it's definitely made me wonder whether recommending this lens is the right thing to do as details on the actual case are still emerging.

I suspect that the two brands will come to some kind of agreement; likely with Viltrox paying some form of licensing fee. Will that affect the prices of its Z Mount lenses? That seems likely, so you could be looking at paying a little more than the $275 / £265 this lens currently fetches.

In the worst-case scenario, Viltrox could even suspend its full-frame Z Mount offerings. I obviously hope that's not the case because the brand makes really fantastic gear for at a price that's accessible for most photographers. That's a very valuable thing in such an expensive hobby, so I sincerely hope Viltrox and Nikon can resolve any disputes amicably.

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Alex WhitelockSocial Links NavigationRetail Editor

Alex is TechRadar's retail editor, specializing in deals, buying advice, and general tips on how to save our readers as much cash as possible. He's covered events like Black Friday and Amazon in some capacity for over seven years now; both in editorial and other ecommerce adjacent roles on TechRadar, T3, GamesRadar, and other Future PLC sites. Alex's expertise touches on most areas, but he has a particular love for phones, laptops, and cameras, being an avid photographer.

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