Viltrox has rapidly established itself as a reputable lens manufacturer, known for delivering quality results at very attractive prices. Priced at $158, the AF 20mm f/2.8 continues this trend. This lens, with its compact size and a practical focal length, raises the question: can it achieve professional-quality outcomes despite its budget-friendly price? This insightful video review explores the performance and image quality you can expect from it in real-world use.
Coming to you from Pav SZ, this great video review takes a look at the Viltrox AF 20mm f/2.8 lens for Sony E mount cameras. At the modest price of $158, and including autofocus, this lens stands out for its affordability. The 20mm focal length has gained popularity recently, offering ample framing space compared to a 24mm with less distortion than a 16mm lens. The Viltrox lens impresses with its commendable sharpness at wide apertures, which further improves upon stopping down, and it manages most aberrations and image quality issues effectively. While not flawless, its performance is quite impressive for its price, making it a valuable addition for various photography needs, particularly if you want a portable lens for just exploring with your camera. Check out the video above for the full rundown on the lens.
A good alternative is Samyang's 18/2.8. It's not as cheap, but still very affordable, small, lightweight, and sharp across the frame at f5.6. Despite the Viltrox' low price, I'd still buy the Samyang today because I feel 18mm is a better complement to a 24mm prime or a zoom that starts at 24mm. For something like Tamron's 28-200, though, this might make a good companion.