Unleashing the Wide: A Review of the Viltrox 20mm f/1.8 FE

Ultra-wide lenses are a fantastic tool for landscape photographers, architectural shooters, and anyone wanting to capture a dramatic sense of space. But they can often be expensive. Enter the Viltrox 20mm f/1.8 FE, a lens promising a lot for a relatively modest price. In this review, we’ll take a deep dive into the Viltrox 20mm, exploring its image quality, autofocus performance, build, and overall value proposition. Is it the budget-friendly ultra-wide you’ve been searching for? Let’s find out.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

The Viltrox 20mm f/1.8 FE makes a good first impression. It’s surprisingly compact and lightweight, especially considering its full-frame coverage and wide aperture. The lens barrel is constructed from a combination of metal and plastic, giving it a solid feel in the hand without being overly heavy. The focus ring is smooth and well-damped, allowing for precise manual focus adjustments. The lens mount is metal, which is a welcome touch for durability.

Image Quality: Sharpness, Distortion, and Bokeh

Image quality is paramount for any lens, and the Viltrox 20mm doesn’t disappoint, particularly for its price point. Sharpness is generally very good across the frame, especially in the centre and mid-zones. The corners do soften a little at wider apertures, but stopping down to f/5.6 or f/8 significantly improves corner sharpness.

Distortion, a common issue with wide-angle lenses, is reasonably well-controlled on the Viltrox 20mm. There’s some noticeable barrel distortion, especially at close focus distances, but it’s correctable in post-processing. Chromatic aberration is also present but generally well-managed.

While bokeh isn’t usually a primary concern with ultra-wide lenses, the f/1.8 aperture of the Viltrox 20mm does allow for some creative use of shallow depth of field. The bokeh itself is reasonably smooth, although not as creamy as some more expensive lenses.

Autofocus Performance: Speed and Accuracy

The Viltrox 20mm features a stepping motor (STM) for autofocus. In my testing, the autofocus performance has been generally good. It’s quick and quiet, locking onto subjects accurately in most situations. However, it’s not quite as fast or decisive as some of the more advanced autofocus systems found in higher-end lenses. For landscape photography, where speed is less critical, the autofocus performance is perfectly adequate.

Real-World Use: Landscapes, Architecture, and More

The 20mm focal length is incredibly versatile for a variety of photographic genres. It’s perfect for capturing sweeping landscapes, dramatic architectural shots, and even environmental portraits. The wide field of view allows you to include a vast amount of the scene in your frame, creating a sense of scale and immersion.

I found the Viltrox 20mm particularly useful for capturing the grandeur of New Zealand’s landscapes. From towering mountains to expansive coastlines, the 20mm perspective helped me convey the beauty and scale of these locations. The f/1.8 aperture also proved valuable for shooting in low-light conditions, allowing me to capture stunning images even as the sun was setting.

Comparing to the Competition

The Viltrox 20mm faces some stiff competition in the ultra-wide lens market. There are several other options available for Sony full-frame cameras, both from Sony themselves and from third-party manufacturers. However, the Viltrox 20mm stands out for its combination of performance, features, and price. It offers excellent image quality and solid autofocus performance at a price point that’s significantly lower than many of its competitors.

Christopher Frost’s Perspective

For a detailed technical analysis of the Viltrox 20mm, I highly recommend checking out Christopher Frost’s lens reviews on YouTube. He provides in-depth testing and analysis, offering valuable insights into the lens’s performance. (Search “Christopher Frost Viltrox 20mm” on YouTube for his review or watch the video below.)

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Excellent image quality, especially for the price
• Compact and lightweight
• Fast f/1.8 aperture
• Solid build quality
• Affordable price

Cons:

• Some corner softness at wider apertures
• Correctable barrel distortion
• Autofocus not as fast as some higher-end lenses

Final Verdict: A Fantastic Value Ultra-Wide

The Viltrox 20mm f/1.8 FE is a fantastic value proposition for Sony full-frame shooters looking for an ultra-wide lens. It delivers impressive image quality, solid autofocus performance, and a robust build, all at a price that’s hard to beat. While it’s not perfect, its minor shortcomings are easily outweighed by its strengths and its affordability. If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly ultra-wide lens, the Viltrox 20mm is definitely worth considering. It’s a great lens that will allow you to capture stunning landscapes, architectural shots, and more.