Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 Chip
Viltrox · 28 mm · f/4.5 · Chip
Score Breakdown
Scores combine our editorial testing with published lab data.
45
SCORE /100
What We Like
+Exceptionally compact and lightweight pancake design at only 60g and 15.3mm thick
+Innovative built-in sliding lens cap eliminates need to carry separate cap
+Voice coil motor (VCM) autofocus is fast, quiet, and works well in most conditions
+Affordable at $99 USD with solid build quality and metal mount
Worth Knowing
−Fixed f/4.5 aperture limits low-light shooting capability and creative control
−Significant flare and ghosting issues in backlit or side-lit conditions without hood capability
−Sharpness degrades quickly from center to edges with noticeable vignetting and chromatic aberration in corners
−No manual focus control and no filter thread for protective or creative filters
General | |
|---|---|
About This LensThe Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 Chip is an inexpensive pancake lens at $99 that weighs only 60g and is 15.3mm thick, making it Viltrox's lightest lens. It features 6 elements in 6 groups with two extra-low dispersion elements and two aspherical elements, and uses a new VCM (voice-coil motor) autofocus system similar to Tamron's VXD focus system. While decently sharp, the lens struggles with flaring in backlit conditions, presenting as veiled flare that kills contrast, and lacks a manual focus ring, limiting its versatility despite its appealing compact form factor. | |
| Brand | Viltrox |
| Release Year | 2024 |
Production Status ⓘCurrent status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued). |  In Production |
Pro Branding ⓘSpecific branding codes used for professional-tier lenses. | Chip |
Lens Mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. | Nikon Z |
System ⓘIndicates which camera system the lens is designed to attach to. | Nikon Z |
Maximum Format ⓘLargest sensor size compatible with the lens. |  Full Frame |
Physical57/100 | |
| Lens Weight | 60 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point | 60.6 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. | 16.8 mm |
Front Filter Compatible ⓘSome lenses are compatible with front filters, some are compatible with back filters and some are compatible with both. Front filters are usually more convenient to add and remove. | No |
Optics53/100 | |
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) | 28 mm |
Aperture Range ⓘLargest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end) | 4.5 |
| Focal Length Angle of View | 73.42°–73.43° |
Flange Focal Distance ⓘDistance from lens mount to sensor. | 16 mm |
Diaphragm Type ⓘStructure and design of the aperture |  Fixed |
Blades ⓘNumber of diaphragm blades in aperture | 8020 |
Zoom Lens ⓘZoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups | No |
Closest Focusing Distance ⓘMinimum distance for a subject to be in focus. | 32 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced | 0.1x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes |
| Manual Mode | No |
| Manual Focusing Ring | No |
Features19/100 | |
Weather Sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. | No |
Fluorine Coating ⓘCoating to repel water and oil from lens elements. |  Yes |
| Built In Lens Hood | No |
Teleconverter ⓘA teleconverter (extender) is an extra piece of equipment that fits between the lens and the camera body to enhance magnification | No |
| Image Stabilization | No |
Construction31/100 | |
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. | 6 |
| Groups | 6 |
Aspherical Elements ⓘThe number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration. | 2 |
Bi Aspherical Elements ⓘElements with two non-spherical surfaces | 0 |
Low Dispersion ⓘElements that reduce chromatic aberration | 2 |
Super Low Dispersion ⓘAdvanced elements further reducing chromatic aberration | 0 |
CA Reduction ⓘBuilt-in features to reduce chromatic aberration | 0 |
Internal Focusing ⓘInternal Focusing means that the lens does not change in size during focusing, and the front element does not rotate. |  Yes |