Five of the best portrait lenses for Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras

A focal length of about 85 mm is considered the standard when it comes to portrait photography. When shooting at this value, it is possible to preserve the proportions and shape of the model’s face to the maximum. The most affordable portrait lens in Sony's full-frame mirrorless portfolio is the FE 85mm f/1.8.

The design of the model implements the concept of minimalism - the only controls on the metal lens body are a programmable button on the side and, of course, a wide manual focusing ring. By default, the above-mentioned key is used to lock focus, however, from the camera’s “body” menu it can be reconfigured in your own way.

The optical design of the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 is based on 9 elements combined under 8 groups. Also inside the dust- and water-proof body of the “portrait camera” there is a fast autofocus motor, which accurately and without unnecessary noise catches the subject. The autofocus drive system copes well with both leisurely portrait photography and highly dynamic scenes.

The lens “draws” a sharp image in the center of the frame from the open aperture. In this case, chromatic aberrations may be noticeable in the image, which, however, can be easily corrected in a photo editor at the post-production stage. Detailing reaches its maximum in the f/2.5-4 aperture range - the picture with such settings literally “rings” in sharpness.

The 9-blade aperture structure allows you to get a round outline of objects in the blur zone. However, the bokeh rendering by the lens cannot be called ideal - it turns out to be slightly “twisted” on the model. However, for a creative tool, which is the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8, this type of background blur is forgivable, since it allows you to expressively portray the scene being filmed.

Among optics from third-party manufacturers for the Sony FE bayonet mount, the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art model looks like a very tasty option for a portrait lens. And that's why.

The lens belongs to the Art line of “artistic” optics, which is appreciated by enthusiastic amateur and professional photographers. The key advantage of the model is its high aperture f/1.4, which allows you to comfortably shoot in low-light conditions. Plus, the model softly “draws” bokeh, for which we must thank the 9-blade diaphragm.

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art has an optical design of 14 elements in 12 groups. It adds two low-dispersion elements to eliminate chromatic aberrations, and a Super Multi-Layer coating is applied to the front element of the lens to protect against glare and reflections. Also nestled inside the body is a nimble and tenacious Hyper Sonic AF autofocus drive.

Despite all its advantages, the model turned out to be quite large and weighty - no joke, the weight of the lens exceeds 1.1 kg. This is a legacy from the optics for SLR cameras, on the basis of which the portrait lens was developed. The follower of the model in question, the improved Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art, lost about half a kilogram of weight. Both copies from Sigma can be considered, plus or minus, on equal terms, but in the second case you will have to sacrifice the materials used to make the lens (plastic instead of “thoroughbred” metal).

The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM was one of the debutants in the G Master line of advanced optics aimed at professional photographers and videographers. And this is exactly the case when the first pancake certainly didn’t turn out lumpy.

The lens is designed for use in conjunction with full-frame Sony mirrorless cameras, including multi-megapixel cameras like the Sony A7r IV. The model belongs to the category of portrait photographers, having a reference focal length of 85 mm. The lens is characterized by sharp sharpness and high detail from open apertures, soft bokeh with the ability to powerfully blur the background, and with f/1.4 aperture you can work in a wide variety of lighting conditions : from ideal studio to night shooting on the street.

The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM is housed in a metal and plastic body that boasts dust and moisture protection. At the same time, the model received a focusing ring with a linear stroke, an aperture ring with the ability to choose between stepped and stepless stroke, as well as one programmable button. For automatic focusing, a fast ring-type SSM ultrasonic drive is provided inside the lens.

Three lenses made of low dispersion glass and one aspherical XA lens were introduced into the optical formula of the model, which helps to “draw” wonderful bokeh without the slightest inhomogeneity. In general, the 11-blade aperture is responsible for the spectacular background blur. The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM is a powerful high-aperture portrait lens that outperforms its closest counterparts under the Sony FE system in terms of detail and softness of the image. However, you will have to pay a lot for the lens - it costs 2-3 times more than the base model Sony FE 85mm f/1.8.

For shooting close-up portraits with powerful background blur , Sony's optics portfolio has one very interesting offer - a fast prime lens with a focal length of 135 mm and a maximum aperture of f/1.8.

The model is one of the most compact and lightweight in the class of portrait cameras with an increased focal length. The dimensions of its body are 90x127 mm, and the weight is about 950 g . The lens is assembled in a dust- and moisture-proof design. The optical design of the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM consists of 13 elements in 10 groups. An important role in it is played by the aspherical XA glass with ideal surface treatment - it helps to get rid of irregularities in the bokeh. Also included in the design are lenses made of ultra-low dispersion and low dispersion glass, which effectively eliminate any aberrations.

The lens “draws” a sharp picture from an open f/1.8 aperture. Achieving soft bokeh with round highlights in the out-of-focus zone is the prerogative of the 11-blade diaphragm. The lens features a special Nano AR coating to eliminate flare and reflections, and a fluoride layer on the front glass repels fingerprints and water. It is allowed to install filters with a diameter of 82 mm on the front frame of the model.

The Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM is equipped with a focus ring with linear response and an aperture ring that can rotate stepwise or steplessly (the latter option will be appreciated by videographers). In the automatic focusing mode, two SSM motors with linear induction come into play - they are responsible for the fast and smooth movement of the front and rear groups of lenses. The model also has two programmable buttons that duplicate each other, and there is a three-position focusing distance limiter. The lens is an excellent pro tool and unlocks the potential of Sony's multi-megapixel mirrorless cameras with full-frame image sensors.

It would seem, what does the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS telephoto lens have to do with portrait cameras? We answer - the most direct. The model will come in handy when you need to quickly respond to a changing situation and capture emotions.

The zoom lens covers the popular telephoto focal length range from 70 to 200 mm. Moreover, its maximum aperture always remains unchanged and is f/2.8. The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS is good for taking portraits at various live events, and its high aperture makes it a suitable tool for reportage photography. The model is supposed to be used with Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras.

The telephoto camera has a complex optical design consisting of 23 elements in 18 groups. It features four ED glass lenses, two Super ED elements, two aspherical glasses and one XA lens. The model’s body is monolithic, and all movement of the optical groups occurs internally - when zooming and focusing, the lens does not change its size. However, the telephoto turned out to be quite large: 200 mm in length and almost 1.5 kg of “net” weight.

The main strength of the lens is razor sharpness from an open aperture, and virtually throughout the entire range of focal lengths. Also, the model is not affected by distortions and chromatic aberrations, and in terms of the nature of rendering soft and plastic bokeh, it competes on equal terms with many high-aperture primes. The picture of the lens is complemented by a built-in stabilizer, fast and tenacious autofocus, developed ergonomics (including focus and stub controls, focusing distance limiter). The average person is unlikely to be able to afford the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS due to the high cost of the model. However, this high-aperture telephoto is ideal for solving professional problems and for commercial types of filming.