Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S 85mm
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
What Buyers Say
Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S 85mm
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S lens is highly praised for its exceptional sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and fast, accurate autofocus, making it a favorite for portraits and low-light photography. However, its hefty weight and large size are common drawbacks, and some users note it provides only marginal improvement over the more affordable f/1.8 version, though the f/1.2 delivers unique depth-of-field effects.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Beautiful bokeh
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Excellent low-light performance
- Professional build quality
Cons
- Heavy and bulky
- High price point
- Plastic front filter ring
- Marginal improvement over f/1.8 version
- Requires learning curve for depth-of-field control
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
The Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens is widely praised for its excellent sharpness, fast and silent autofocus, and lightweight design, making it a fantastic value for amateur photographers and wildlife enthusiasts. Many users highlight the impressive image quality at the long end and the effective image stabilization, though some note softness beyond 200mm and noticeable vignetting at full zoom. A few reviewers experienced quality control issues like blurry images or a non-functional focus ring, but the overwhelming consensus is that this lens delivers outstanding performance for its price point.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness for the price
- Fast and silent STM autofocus
- Lightweight and compact design
- Effective image stabilization
- Great value for money
Cons
- Softness beyond 200mm
- Noticeable vignetting at full zoom
- Plastic build quality
- Electronic manual focus requires camera power
- Slow maximum aperture (f/5.6 at 250mm)
Scores
Specifications
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S 85mm | Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | prime | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 85 mm | 55 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 85 mm | 250 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 15 |
| Groups | 10 | 12 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2★ | 0 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 1 |
| Coating | Nano Crystal Coat | Super Spectra coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/16 | f/4 |
| Min Aperture | f/1.2 | 4-5.6 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon Z | Canon EF-S |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Weight | 1.16 kg | 0.38 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 82 mm | 58 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Dual STM | STM |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 4 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 850 mm | 850 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.11x | 0.29x★ |
Pros & Cons
Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S 85mm
- Strong social proof (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong optical (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Strong user sentiment (66th percentile)
- Below average build (23rd percentile)
- Below average macro (26th percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong versatility (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Below average macro (31st percentile)
Verdict
Scores 86 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 22 specs.