{"id":86513,"date":"2026-04-20T11:59:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T10:59:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=86513"},"modified":"2026-04-20T14:16:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T13:16:10","slug":"review-viltrox-55mm-f-1-8-evo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-viltrox-55mm-f-1-8-evo\/","title":{"rendered":"REVIEW: Viltrox 55mm f\/1.8 EVO"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Introduction<\/span><\/h2>\n

Viltrox has just released two new full-frame lenses in its EVO series\u2014a 35mm f\/1.8 and a 55mm f\/1.8\u2014both featuring APO designs for improved correction of chromatic and spherical aberrations. Here, I\u2019m testing the 55mm lens.<\/p>\n

Based on Viltrox\u2019s earlier Air and EVO lenses, which delivered exceptional sharpness, I was curious to see if this new 55mm can reach the same level as Nikon\u2019s 50mm f\/1.8 S\u2014a lens I regard as the best \u201cnifty fifty\u201d Nikon has ever produced, with outstanding sharpness and overall optical quality. Let\u2019s find out.<\/p>\n

Available for Sony E, Nikon Z, and Leica L mounts.<\/p>\n

Sample Images<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Nikon Zf | Viltrox 55mm f\/1.8 EVO | f\/16<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Viltrox 55mm f\/1.8 EVO | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Viltrox 55mm f\/1.8 EVO | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Viltrox 55mm f\/1.8 EVO | f\/2.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Viltrox 55mm f\/1.8 EVO | f\/13<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Viltrox 55mm f\/1.8 EVO | f\/2.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

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Nikon Zf | Viltrox 55mm f\/1.8 EVO | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Viltrox 55mm f\/1.8 EVO | f\/4.5<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Viltrox 55mm f\/1.8 EVO | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Viltrox 55mm f\/1.8 EVO | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Viltrox 55mm f\/1.8 EVO | f\/4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Viltrox 55mm f\/1.8 EVO | f\/13<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Most of the sample images in this review and many more can be found in higher resolution here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"camera-icon2\"I tested this lens on a 46 Mp<\/a> Nikon Z7ii<\/a> (Sample images were taken with a Nikon Zf<\/a>)
\n\"\"You can see this review as\u00a0a\u00a0YouTube\u00a0video\u00a0here!
\n\"\"Sample images in high resolution here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

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Specifications<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Focal Length<\/td>\n55mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Angle of View<\/td>\n43\u00b0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
# of Aperture Blades<\/td>\n9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max Aperture<\/td>\nf\/1.8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min Aperture<\/td>\nf\/16<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min Focus Distance (Magnification)<\/td>\n0.43 m (0.16x)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Filter Size<\/td>\n58mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lens Mount<\/td>\nNikon Z | Sony FE<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/td>\n\u2248385 g | \u2248365 g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Size (D x L)<\/td>\n69×78 mm | 69×76 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elements\/Group<\/td>\n13 \/ 9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nBuy new:<\/strong> Viltrox Store<\/a>, Amazon (US)<\/a> , Amazon (EU)<\/a> (Affiliate links)
\nPrice: 370.00 USD \/349EUR \/359GBP \/539CAD \/68,400JPY
\n5% off<\/strong> for first release [valid for 5 days, ends at 12 PM (UTC+8) on April 26]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Disclosure<\/span><\/h2>\n

Viltrox kindly provided this lens for test and review purposes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Handling and Build Quality<\/span><\/h2>\n

The lens gives a solid impression both visually and in hand. The body is made of hard plastic, while the rings are metal.<\/p>\n

The focus ring is moderately large, and in manual focus mode it can be set to linear response. This means you can use a fixed focus throw\u2014going from infinity to the minimum focus distance (MFD) always requires the same amount of rotation. The camera also remembers the last focus distance and point after powering off and on, which is a nice touch.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also an AF\/MF switch and a function button on the left side of the barrel.<\/p>\n

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On the opposite side of the barrel, there\u2019s another switch to toggle between a clicked and de-clicked aperture ring.<\/p>\n

The aperture ring is marked from f\/1.8 to f\/16 in full stops. The ring features gentle one-third-stop clicks, and there\u2019s also an \u201cA\u201d position for automatic aperture control beyond f\/16 via the camera. The clicks are, as mentioned, very light, and there\u2019s no lock for the A position, which makes it easy to unintentionally knock the ring out of A.<\/p>\n

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The lens mount is metallic and also features, in addition to the electronic pins, a USB-C port for firmware updates. There is a red rubber gasket around the mount, providing weather sealing.<\/p>\n

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The lens comes with the usual front and rear caps, as well as a lens hood, which is quite basic but attaches securely to the lens.<\/p>\n

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The autofocus is accurate and quiet, but the speed is only average.<\/p>\n

Compared to the Nikon Z 50mm f\/1.8 S, this lens is smaller and, despite its size, includes an aperture ring\u2014something the Nikon lacks. On the other hand, the Nikon\u2019s autofocus is faster, although it is slightly noisier than the Viltrox.<\/p>\n

The Nikon\u2019s lens hood is also more substantial, and overall it gives an even more solid impression.<\/p>\n

Optical Features<\/span><\/h2>\n

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Sharpness<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Nikon Zf | Viltrox 55mm f\/1.8 EVO | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sharpness\u00a0<\/span>(Infinity)<\/span><\/h4>\n

For the infinity sharpness test, we look at three areas of the image, centre, mid-frame, and corner, see highlighted areas in the image below!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Infinily Sharpness Points of Inspection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n