Viltrox’s New Compact Lens Series

credits: Viltrox

Viltrox has kicked off a new series of fast and affordable full-frame prime lenses called Evo, starting with the AF 85mm f/2 Evo for Sony E-mount cameras. The company describes the new lens as a reimagining of the classic portrait focal length. Inside, it features 10 elements in 8 groups, including two extra-low dispersion and two high-refractive index elements to reduce chromatic aberration and maintain sharpness across the frame. The nine-blade aperture and f/2 maximum aperture should deliver smooth background blur while still keeping enough depth for versatile portrait shooting.

At 340 grams and 76 millimeters long, the 85mm f/2 Evo is considerably lighter and smaller than Viltrox’s other 85mm options, such as the f/1.4 Pro (800 grams) or f/1.8 II (484 grams). The trade-off is a slightly slower aperture, but the compact size makes it easier to carry around of course. The lens includes a rubber-sealed mount for basic weather resistance, along with an AF/MF switch, an aperture control ring, and a customisable function button. Build quality appears solid, continuing Viltrox’s trend of offering full metal-bodied lenses.

Autofocus is handled by an STM motor that promises quick and quiet focusing for both photo and video use, with full support for Sony’s eye- and face-detection systems. The minimum focusing distance is 0.74 meters, giving a maximum magnification of 0.13x, about what you would expect for an 85mm portrait lens. The Viltrox AF 85mm f/2 Evo is available for Sony full-frame E-mount cameras at a price of $275.

You can see full details and sample shots on Viltrox’s website here