Viltrox AF 50mm F2.0 Air
Viltrox · 50 mm · f/2 · Air
Score Breakdown
Scores combine our editorial testing with published lab data.
59
SCORE /100
What We Like
+Exceptional sharpness across aperture range with excellent corner-to-edge clarity from f/2
+Extremely compact and lightweight at 205g, ideal for travel and everyday carry
+Outstanding value at $199 USD with optical quality comparable to much more expensive lenses
+Fast, quiet, and reliable STM autofocus with eye/face detection support
+Very low distortion (0.5%) and minimal focus breathing for excellent video performance
+Nine-blade aperture provides pleasant, circular bokeh even when stopped down
Worth Knowing
−Significant vignetting at wide apertures that requires post-processing correction at f/2
−Longer minimum focus distance (0.51m) limits macro capability with maximum magnification of only 0.11x
−No weather sealing despite plastic construction, limiting durability in challenging conditions
−Notable axial chromatic aberration at f/2, though resolves by f/4
General | |
|---|---|
About This LensThe Viltrox AF 50mm f/2 FE is not only very consistent but also very sharp across the relevant aperture range, with center quality excellent straight from f/2 and outer image field easily very good. The lens is a full-frame normal lens, designed to be compact and lightweight at just 205g. It carries a price tag of $199 USD so it undercuts its main competitor – the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 – by a slight margin. The Viltrox AF 50mm F2 AIR is easily the best performer yet in the series, and is very possibly the sharpest "nifty-fifty" style lens that has even been made. | |
| Brand | Viltrox |
| Release Year | 2025 |
Production Status ⓘCurrent status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued). |  In Production |
Pro Branding ⓘSpecific branding codes used for professional-tier lenses. | Air |
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 |
Physical64/100 | |
| Lens Weight | 205 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point | 65 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. | 56.5 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. |  Yes |
Front Filter Size ⓘDiameter of attachable filters. | 58 mm |
Optics82/100 | |
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) | 50 mm |
Aperture Range ⓘLargest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end) | 2 |
| Focal Length Angle of View | 47.4° |
Flange Focal Distance ⓘDistance from lens mount to sensor. | 16 mm |
Diaphragm Type ⓘStructure and design of the aperture |  Automatic |
Blades ⓘNumber of diaphragm blades in aperture | 9020 |
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. | 51 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced | 0.11x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes |
Features | |
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. | No |
| Built In Lens Hood | No |
| Lens Hood Type |  Round |
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 |
Construction54/100 | |
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. | 13 |
| Groups | 9 |
Aspherical Elements ⓘThe number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration. | 1 |
Bi Aspherical Elements ⓘElements with two non-spherical surfaces | 0 |
Low Dispersion ⓘElements that reduce chromatic aberration | 3 |
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 |