Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.7 XF
Announced April 1, 2024
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.7 XF is an exceptionally affordable and compact portrait lens that delivers impressive sharpness and image quality for its price point. While it lacks premium features like weather sealing and an aperture ring, it serves as a highly capable, lightweight option for photographers seeking value.
Weighted from 17 reviewer scores
Pros
- Fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus performance
- Impressive sharpness across the frame
- Smooth and pleasing bokeh rendering
- Compact, lightweight, and portable design
- Excellent value and highly affordable price
Cons
- Plasticky build quality lacking weather sealing
- Heavy vignetting and corner softness at wide apertures
- Absence of physical aperture ring and lens controls
- Long minimum focus distance and inconsistent close-up performance
- Susceptibility to flare and ghosting
- Launch price $139 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 56mm f/1.7
- Mount & coverage Nikon Z, Fujifilm X APS-C
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 55 cm (0.11x)
- Filter thread 52mm
- Autofocus motor STM
- Weight & size 171g · 65 x 54.7 mm (2.56 x 2.15 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 17 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- PetaPixel 9/10
Viltrox has managed to break expectations and genuinely set a new bar for performance at this price.
- OpticalLimits 8.5/10
The Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.7 E is quite a steal at just $180 USD.
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[O]ne of the sharpest budget lenses I’ve ever tested.
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[T]his new Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.7 XF optic may not be utterly perfect, but it is generally fantastic, and for $140, it's certainly a value king.
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The Viltrox AF 56 mm f/1.7 Air performs as well as its brothers with shorter focal lengths and represents similarly high level.
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This AF 56mm f/1.7 is Viltrox’s budget short telephoto portrait lens, but its performance is way beyond a budget lens in traditional sense.
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Considering this lens is only $140, it’s great value.
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I think of all the Viltrox lenses out there, you are getting probably the best value for the price point that this lens has.
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This is easily one of the best value for money lens I have tested recently.
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This autofocus lens offers STM stepping motor, so you get very fast and snappy autofocus performance, and much like the other Viltrox lenses I've recently reviewed on the channel, it feels like a far more expensive lens when it comes to its autofocus performance [...]
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I was just thinking for $139 and say you were just getting into portrait photography as a beginner [...] this lens is certainly good enough for that, and it won't break the bank.
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If you are looking for a lens like this, a budget portrait and street photography lens, I recommend the Viltrox 56 F1.7.
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If you don't want a manual focus, you don't mind the lack of weather resistance you don't need the shallowest depth of field possible, and just want a snappy, sharp, and ultra portable lens, it's really hard to go wrong with the Viltrox 56mm f/1.7.
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[T]his lens is a pretty good 85mm equivalent and considering that it's two times cheaper, smaller and less weighty than this 85mm full frame this is a pretty nice step up from your kit lens or Sigma 18-50mm.
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I think overall it's a great lens.
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[T]he quality of this lens for this price is simply amazing.
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This lens is none of that, and I'm surprised because I can't believe lenses are getting this good and this cheap.
