Viltrox AF 40mm f/2.5 FE 40mm
Weighing just 167g, this full-frame 40mm f/2.5 prime stands out for its exceptional portability without sacrificing a bright aperture or weather-sealed build. The STM motor delivers quick, quiet autofocus, while the optical design with one ED and one aspherical element controls aberrations in a compact package. This lens is best for street and travel photographers who prioritize a lightweight, discreet setup on Sony E-mount bodies.
Snapshot
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
- Q1 202674/100
Buyers praise value, sharpness, lightweight build, and bokeh. Some report autofocus issues and close-focus limitations.
- Excellent value for price; sharp, contrasty images with good bokeh.
- Compact, lightweight build with included lens hood, ideal for travel.
- Autofocus can struggle or hunt, especially with eye-tracking active.
- Close-up photography is weak; lens works best for landscape/architecture.
- Q4 202573/100
Buyers praised sharpness, autofocus, and value, but noted some quality issues including a used lens shipped as new and minor noise.
- Excellent sharpness and optical clarity even wide open, considered great value for price.
- Fast, quiet autofocus with good low-light performance and minimal focus breathing.
- Compact and premium build for the price, but some found autofocus loud or plastic body.
- One buyer received a used lens in an opened package, missing manual and case.
- Q3 202582/100
Buyers praise the Viltrox 50mm f/2.0 for being lightweight, sharp, and excellent value, though some note ho-hum contrast, corners, and a cheap hood.
- Lightweight and compact design praised by multiple users.
- Sharpness and autofocus performance exceed price expectations.
- Optical quality is good for the cost, but contrast and corners are just okay.
- Hood is cheap and lens requires post-processing to optimize results.
- Q2 202588/100
Reviewers praise the lens for sharpness, value, and quality; a light prime solution for travel is noted; minor imperfections mentioned but overall very positive.
- Sharp lens and great value for the price on Sony and Nikon bodies.
- Not perfect, but very good performance overall as a third-party option.
- Lightweight and discreet prime lens ideal for street and travel photography.
- Focal length selection (40mm) comfortable based on user testing and reviews.
- Q2 2024100/100
Buyers praised the lens for its sharpness, lightweight build, fast autofocus, and good low-light performance. Some noted a plasticky feel and storage bag instead of a case.
- Excellent image sharpness and quality across reviews.
- Lightweight and portable design for all-day shooting.
- Plasticky feel noted but accepted due to weight savings.
- Included soft storage bag offers little protection; case preferred.
Based on 43 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Prime |
| Focal Length Min | 40 |
| Focal Length Max | 40 |
| Elements | 10 |
| Groups | 6 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 |
| ED Elements | 1 |
| Coating | high-definition nano multi-layer coating, front lens waterproof and anti-fouling coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.5 |
| Constant | No |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
Build
| Mount | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.4 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 52 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | STM |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 340 |
| Max Magnification | 1:7.14 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Viltrox AF 40mm f/2.5 FE 40mm | Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR | Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Tamron Di III VXD G2 28-75mm f/2.8 | GoPro HB-Series AEWAL-001 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 40mm | 18-50mm | 16-50mm | 16-50mm | 28-75mm | - |
| Max Aperture | f/16 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/3.5 | f/2.8 | f/0 |
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E | Nikon Z | Sony E | Sony E | GoPro HERO Black Mount |
| Stabilization | false | false | true | true | false | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | false | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 167 | 290 | 135 | 107 | 540 | 100 |
| AF Type | STM | stepping motor | Stepping Motor | Autofocus | VXD linear motor | - |
| Lens Type | prime | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | wide-angle |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viltrox AF 40mm f/2.5 FE 40mm | 87.6 | 28.1 | 96.3 | 66.6 | 62.3 | 39.8 | 44.4 | 33.6 | 86 | 36.7 |
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 87.6 | 80.4 | 86.5 | 90.8 | 82.5 | 82.8 | 80.5 | 78.5 | 90.1 | 36.7 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR Compare | 87.6 | 73.7 | 92.8 | 44.5 | 74.5 | 75.9 | 0 | 83.1 | 78.7 | 95.4 |
| Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 53.7 | 73.7 | 98.6 | 43.2 | 69 | 75.9 | 63.5 | 83.1 | 82 | 93.5 |
| Tamron Di III VXD G2 28-75mm f/2.8 Compare | 98.2 | 85.7 | 70.2 | 85.8 | 89.1 | 82.8 | 80.5 | 78.4 | 15.1 | 36.7 |
| GoPro HB-Series AEWAL-001 Compare | 53.7 | 100 | 98.7 | 13.9 | 46 | 100 | 90.8 | 33.6 | 83.9 | 82.4 |
