Viltrox 28mm f/4.5 Lens: Compact and Capable

Viltrox has gained a reputation for offering high-quality lenses at budget-friendly prices, and their Viltrox 28mm f/4.5 Lens follows this trend. This compact, lightweight lens seems tailor-made for street photographers and travelers, with a discreet design and an f/4.5 aperture that prioritize portability without compromising image sharpness.

There are many small, pancake-style lenses on the market, and the Viltrox 28mm f/4.5 is no exception in terms of size and weight. But does it deliver in terms of image quality? Let’s find out.

Build Quality

One of the first things you’ll notice when handling the Viltrox 28mm f/4.5 is how incredibly light it feels. Weighing just 60 grams, it practically disappears in your camera bag, and it’s so thin it’s almost like carrying a camera body cap. This makes it perfect for minimalist setups.

Although it’s a mix of metal and plastic, the build quality doesn’t feel cheap. It’s not a luxury lens, but for the price, it’s impressive. Don’t expect to find a focus ring or buttons—it’s too small for those—but the built-in sliding lens cap does a great job of protecting the lens.

Its robust design makes it ideal for urban photography or light travel, and its low-profile look means you can capture candid street moments without drawing much attention.

Key Specs

6 elements in 6 groups, including 2 ED lenses and 2 aspherical lenses
28mm focal length
73.42° viewing angle
Constant f/4.5 aperture
0.32m to infinity shooting distance
Full lens focusing system
VCM focus motor
Maximum magnification of 0.11x
60.3 x 15.3mm size
Weighs 60g
USB Type-C port for firmware updates

Performance

With an f/4.5 aperture, low-light performance is a bit limited. This lens isn’t your best bet for dim environments, but in good lighting, it performs well. Even at f/4.5, center sharpness is excellent, though the edges may soften slightly. It’s versatile for street photography, environmental portraits, and landscapes, and the autofocus is quick and reliable.

While it doesn’t create a strong background blur due to the aperture, it handles subjects and backgrounds with smooth transitions, giving you nice subject separation when needed.

In some situations, lens flare can be an issue due to the lack of a lens hood, but it’s easy to fix by adjusting the shooting angle or blocking the light with your hand. Despite this, chromatic aberration is minimal, and sharpness is impressive, making it hard to find better image quality at this price point.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Affordable price
Extremely lightweight and compact
Built-in lens cap

Cons:

Occasional lens flare

Final Thoughts

The Viltrox 28mm f/4.5 is a specialized lens designed for photographers who need a portable, discreet option. While the f/4.5 aperture might not suit every scenario, the combination of sharpness, lightweight build, and compact design makes it a solid choice for street photographers, travelers, or anyone who likes to keep their gear simple.

For the price, the image quality is a great deal. It could easily become your go-to lens for everyday use. Viltrox is offering this lens at 109€ is a steal for what you get.