Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Viltrox AF 35/1.7 Z 35mm
What Buyers Say
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
The Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM is widely praised for its excellent image quality, fast constant aperture, and effective image stabilization, making it a favorite walk-around lens for APS-C shooters. However, many users report significant dust intrusion, lens creep, and a build quality that feels below its premium price point. While optical performance rivals L-series glass, the lack of weather sealing and occasional autofocus or IS failures over time are common frustrations. Overall, it is a top performer optically but has notable durability concerns.
Pros
- Excellent image sharpness and contrast
- Fast constant f/2.8 aperture
- Effective image stabilization (3 stops)
- Versatile 17-55mm focal range for APS-C
- Fast and quiet USM autofocus
Cons
- Significant dust intrusion inside lens
- Lens creep over time
- No weather sealing
- Plastic build quality feels cheap for price
- Expensive for an EF-S lens
Viltrox AF 35/1.7 Z 35mm
The Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 lens is widely loved for its sharp image quality, fast aperture, and surprisingly low price. Users praise its lightweight design, compact size, and quick autofocus, making it an excellent everyday walk-around lens. Some note autofocus can be noisier or slower than premium lenses, and a few report chromatic aberration in high-contrast scenes. A handful of complaints involve inconsistent packaging or compatibility misunderstandings, but the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.
Pros
- Sharp image quality wide open
- Fast f/1.7 aperture for low light
- Lightweight and compact design
- Great value for the price
- Fast and accurate autofocus
Cons
- Autofocus noise in quiet environments
- Chromatic aberration in high contrast
- No weather sealing
- Slow autofocus in low light
- Missing aperture ring
Scores
Specifications
| Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM | Viltrox AF 35/1.7 Z 35mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 17 mm | 35 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 55 mm | 35 mm |
| Elements | 19 | 11 |
| Groups | 12 | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 1 |
| Coating | Super Spectra coating | nano multi-layer coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.7 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Fujifilm X |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.64 kg | 0.17 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 77 mm | 52 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | USM | STM★ |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 3 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 351 mm | 330 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.17x | 1:7.7★ |
Pros & Cons
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
- Strong af (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong optical (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong social proof (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong versatility (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Below average bokeh (14th percentile)14th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (16th percentile)16th %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
Viltrox AF 35/1.7 Z 35mm
- Strong build (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong af (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong macro (68th percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
Pricing
Viltrox AF 35/1.7 Z 35mm offers 5.3x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 69 overall, wins 3 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.
