Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 STM
Summary
The Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 STM is a solid optical performer — a wide-angle prime (35mm equivalent) with f/1.4 maximum aperture. The lens is priced at approximately ~$500 USD. Please check the official product page for sample images, manuals, and firmware updates.
Genre Suitability
- Excellent for: Street, Travel
- Avoid for: Nightscape, Landscape, Architecture, Portrait, Sport, Wildlife, Macro
Strengths
- Smooth, pleasant bokeh
- Fast linear motor autofocus
Weaknesses
- Below-average corner sharpness stopped down
- Below-average center sharpness wide open
- Very soft corners wide open
- Noticeable coma in the corners wide open
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
- Noticeable vignetting wide open
- Low macro capability (0.1x magnification)
Specifications 20/20
| Optical construction | 11 elements in 10 groups (2 ED, 2 HR) |
| Coating | HD Nano multilayer coating |
| Focal length | 23mm |
| Max aperture | f/1.4 |
| Sweet spot | f/4 |
| Aperture blades | 9 (circular) |
| Sunstar points | 18 (soft — circular blades) |
| Max magnification | 0.1x |
| Min focus distance | 300mm |
| AF motor | LM |
| OIS | No |
| Weather sealed | No |
| Aperture ring | Yes |
| Clickless aperture | Yes |
| Focus ring | Yes |
| Focus by wire | Yes |
| Distance scale | No |
| Rotating front | No |
| Tripod mount | No |
| Weight | 224g |
| Diameter | 55mm |
| Length | 51.5mm |
| Filter thread | 52mm |
| Year | 2021 |
Optical Quality 13/14
| Center (wide open) | 0.5 |
| Corner (wide open) | 0.0 |
| Center (stopped) | 2.0 |
| Corner (stopped) | 0.5 |
| Coma | 0.5 |
| Astigmatism | 1.5 |
| Spherical aberration | 1.5 |
| Longitudinal CA | 0.5 |
| Lateral CA | 1.5 |
| Distortion | 1.0 |
| Vignetting (wide open) | 0.5 |
| Vignetting (stopped) | 1.5 |
| Bokeh | 1.5 |
Sharpness
- Below-average center sharpness wide open
- Very soft corners wide open
- Outstanding center resolution stopped down
- Below-average corner sharpness stopped down
Aberrations
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
- Well-controlled lateral CA
- Noticeable coma in the corners wide open
- Well-controlled astigmatism
- Well-corrected spherical aberration
Rendering
- Smooth, pleasant bokeh
- Noticeable vignetting wide open
- Vignetting clears well when stopped down
Distortion
- Moderate distortion, handled by camera profiles
All optical scores are based on lab measurements and field tests from trusted review sources. For details on how we score lenses, see our scoring methodology.
Genre Fit
✗ Nightscape Photography 2/5
Nightscape Photography prioritizes coma control, astigmatism correction, and a fast aperture for short star exposures.
- Noticeable coma in the corners wide open
- Well-controlled astigmatism
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Well-controlled lateral CA
- Below-average center sharpness wide open
- Very soft corners wide open
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
- Noticeable vignetting wide open
- Well-corrected spherical aberration
✗ Landscape Photography 2/5
Landscape Photography prioritizes corner-to-corner sharpness at stopped-down apertures and good flare resistance.
- Below-average corner sharpness stopped down
- Outstanding center resolution stopped down
- Moderate distortion, handled by camera profiles
- Well-controlled lateral CA
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
- Vignetting clears well when stopped down
- Well-controlled astigmatism
- Noticeable coma in the corners wide open
✗ Architecture Photography 2/5
Architecture Photography prioritizes geometric precision with minimal distortion and even corner sharpness.
- Below-average corner sharpness stopped down
- Outstanding center resolution stopped down
- Moderate distortion, handled by camera profiles
- Well-controlled lateral CA
- Vignetting clears well when stopped down
✓ Street Photography 4/5
Street Photography prioritizes sharp stopped-down performance and a fast enough aperture for low light.
- Outstanding center resolution stopped down
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Below-average center sharpness wide open
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
- Noticeable coma in the corners wide open
✓ Travel Photography 4/5
Travel Photography prioritizes balanced image quality in a lightweight package.
- Outstanding center resolution stopped down
- Lightweight at 224g
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
✗ Portrait Photography 2/5
Portrait Photography prioritizes smooth bokeh and critical center sharpness wide open for subject isolation.
- Smooth, pleasant bokeh
- Below-average center sharpness wide open
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
- Well-corrected spherical aberration
- Noticeable vignetting wide open
✗ Sport Photography 2/5
Sport Photography prioritizes sharp wide-open center performance to freeze action at fast shutter speeds.
- Below-average center sharpness wide open
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
- Well-controlled lateral CA
✗ Wildlife Photography 2/5
Wildlife Photography prioritizes center sharpness across apertures for distant subjects.
- Below-average center sharpness wide open
- Outstanding center resolution stopped down
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
- Well-controlled lateral CA
✗ Macro Photography 1/5
Macro Photography prioritizes stopped-down center sharpness and high magnification for close-up detail.
- Outstanding center resolution stopped down
- Low magnification (0.1x)
- Moderate distortion, handled by camera profiles
- Well-controlled lateral CA
- Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
- Well-corrected spherical aberration
- Smooth, pleasant bokeh