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Nikon

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S — 85mm f/1.2 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$2,799

Launch price

Released Apr 2023

vs

Sony

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sony E Mount

The standard telephoto zoom, completely redesigned to be 29% lighter and significantly sharper.

$2,799

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S is 1.5 years newer.

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Wins

4categories

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S

Portrait

Wins

4categories

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sports & ActionPortrait

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S wins 2 categories·FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II wins 3 categories
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has higher OIS effectiveness (4.5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has higher Max magnification (0.3 × vs 0.11 ×)
  • ANIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • ANIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has lower Min focus distance (40 cm vs 85 cm)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 SFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Focal Length85 mm70-200 mm
Max Aperturef/1.2f/2.8
MountNikon ZSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNo4.5 stops
Weight995 g1045 g
Min Focus85 cm40 cm
Filter Size82 mm77 mm

Size and weight, to scale

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S

103 × 141 mm

995 g (2.19 lb / 35.10 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

88 × 200 mm

1045 g (2.30 lb / 36.86 oz)

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S is 59mm shorter and 15mm wider than FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II.

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S is 50 g lighter than FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II.

Diameter (⌀) is the maximum barrel width; length is measured from the mount to the front of the lens.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseNIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 SFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Portrait
10.0Excellent
7.5Good
Sports & Action
4.5Fair
9.5Excellent
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
7.0Good
Landscape
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Travel
2.0Limited
4.0Fair
Wildlife
2.0Limited
5.5Fair
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 ED

  • Control ring

    Only NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S supports it

  • Length

    141 mm vs 200 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    995 g vs 1045 g — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

  • OIS effectiveness

    4.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 XA, 1 Super ED, 2 ED

  • Min focus distance

    40 cm vs 85 cm — lower is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II supports it

  • Max magnification

    0.3 × vs 0.11 × — higher is better

  • Diameter

    88 mm vs 103 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S

Pros

  • Bright f/1.2 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Pros

  • Extremely lightweight for an f/2.8 telephoto zoom (only 1045g)
  • Virtually instantaneous and silent autofocus with 4 XD Linear motors
  • Stunning optical performance and contrast across entire range
  • Outstanding built-in Optical SteadyShot stabilization
  • Dedicated physical aperture ring with click and lock switches

Cons

  • Very high price tag
  • Lens hood is bulky and can block storage space easily

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S and FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S

Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Focal length (Min)
85 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
85 mm
200 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
f/2.8
Elements
15
17
Groups
10
14
Special elements
3 ED, 1 Aspherical
1 XA, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super ED, 2 ED
NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Min focus distance
85 cm
40 cm−45 cm less
Max magnification
0.11 ×
0.3 ×2.7× more
Autofocus motor
Multi-Focus Stepping Motors
4 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
4.5 stops
NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Weight
995 g−50 g less
1045 g
Length
141 mm−59 mm less
200 mm
Diameter
103 mm
88 mm−15 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
11
NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.