How Sharp Is the Viltrox 35mm f/1.2 STF N on Sony's Most Demanding Sensor?

The Viltrox 35mm f/1.2 is already a well-regarded fast prime, but Viltrox has now released a revised version called the AF 35mm f/1.2 STF N, dropping the LED display and swapping the old control ring for a proper aperture ring. If you shoot Sony E-mount and have been watching this lens, the changes are worth understanding before you spend $999.

Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this detailed video puts the updated Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.2 STF N through its paces on a Sony a7CR, a 61-megapixel body that gives the lens nowhere to hide. Frost had tested the previous version before and wanted to see how the optics held up at that resolution, partly to address questions from viewers who thought his earlier copy might have been soft. The new aperture ring clicks properly and can be switched to a smooth de-clicked rotation, which is a meaningful upgrade over the original's odd control ring that clicked seven times between each stop. The LED display is gone, and Frost notes he found it slightly gimmicky anyway, with the added downside that it made camera setups more conspicuous in public.

Sharpness at f/1.2 in the center is excellent even at 61 megapixels, and stopping down to f/2 produces what Frost calls razor sharpness. Corners are softer wide open, but given the aperture and resolution involved, the performance holds up well. Distortion is nearly absent, which Frost credits to optical correction rather than relying on in-camera profiles. Vignetting at f/1.2 is noticeable in the corners, as you'd expect, and it takes stopping down to f/2 or f/2.8 before you see meaningful improvement there. The minimum focus distance of 34 cm gives decent magnification, and close-up sharpness is solid, though contrast is a little low at f/1.2 before improving by f/2.

Flare control is average, coma is low and cleans up by f/2, and sun stars become genuinely strong by f/16. The bokeh is smooth overall, though specular highlights show a slightly hard edge, some cat's-eye shape in the corners, and a noticeable onion-ring substructure if you look for it. Chromatic aberration is visible at f/1.2 but largely gone by f/2.8. The lens still includes weather-sealing, a USB-C port, custom buttons, and a 77mm filter thread. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Frost.