Viltrox AF 16mm F1.8 Z
Launch MSRP
$580- Weight
- 550g
- Filter
- ⌀77mm
- Min focus
- 0.27m
- Max mag.
- 0.10×
- Formula
- 15E / 12G
- Released
- 2024
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 4x ED
- 3x Aspherical
- Aperture range
- f/1.8 — f/22
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 550g
- ⌀ × length
- 85.2 × 103.0mm
- Filter
- ⌀77mm
- Weather sealed
- No
- Aperture ring
- Yes · de-click
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 7.9 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.27m
- Max magnification
- 0.10× (1:10.0)
Optical character
An f/1.8 autofocus ultra-wide for Nikon Z that takes 77mm screw-in filters, with a built-in LCD screen showing aperture, focus distance and a live depth-of-field scale. It covers astro, interiors and vlogging, and Nikon has no autofocus lens this wide and this fast.
The 15-element, 12-group design uses four ED and three aspherical elements. The aperture ring has an A position and a de-click lever, and the barrel also carries an AF/MF switch and two Fn buttons. Internal focusing and a lead-screw STM motor make it easy to use for gimbal video.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers describe it as one of the most ambitious third-party ultra-wides available for mirrorless mounts. Centre sharpness is high wide open, coma is well controlled for night skies, and build quality is better than the price suggests.
The usual caveats are mid-frame and extreme-corner softness at f/1.8, which improves by f/4, noticeable vignetting, and complex distortion that profiles mostly fix. The LCD is described as a useful novelty rather than essential.
Owner sentiment
Astro and real-estate shooters call it a bargain for a fast 16mm. They like being able to use standard screw-in ND and polariser filters. The DoF readout on the LCD is popular for setting hyperfocal distance at night.
Firmware updates have addressed early AF quirks. Some users report quality-control variation between copies and wish for official weather sealing.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +Fast f/1.8 at 16mm with AF
- +Takes 77mm screw-in filters
- +LCD with distance and depth-of-field readout
- +Aperture ring with de-click lever
- +Aggressive price
Weaknesses
- −Corners soft wide open
- −Heavy vignetting at f/1.8
- −No official weather sealing
- −Some owners report slow or unsure AF
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 8.0
- Bokeh Rendering
- 7.0
- Autofocus Speed
- 7.9
- Flare Resistance
- 7.2
- Build / Sealing
- 7.8
- Value / Size
- 9.3
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Nikon Z (FX) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 16mm |
| Category | Ultra-Wide |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Construction | 15 elements in 12 groups |
| Special elements | 4x ED · 3x Aspherical |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | STM (Lead Screw) |
| Minimum focus | 0.27m |
| Max magnification | 0.10× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 550g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 85.2 × 103.0mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀77mm |
| Weather sealing | No |
| Aperture ring | Yes |
| De-clickable aperture | Yes |
| Release year | 2024 |
| Launch MSRP | $580 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- viltrox.com/products/viltrox-af-16mm-f1-8-z
- viltrox.com/products/viltrox-af-16mm-f1-8-z.json
- dpreview.com/products/viltrox/lenses/viltrox_af_16_1p8/specifications
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSAF 16mm F1.8 Z vs 17mm f/4 Zero-D Shift (Nikon Z)
- VSAF 16mm F1.8 Z vs 17mm f/4 Zero-D Tilt-Shift (Nikon Z)
- VSAF 16mm F1.8 Z vs 15mm F4 (Nikon Z)
- LaowaZero-D
17mm f/4 Zero-D Shift (Nikon Z)
17mmF4- WT
- 770g
- FLT
- ⌀86mm
- MFD
- 0.25m
- MSRP
- $999
MFRING - LaowaZero-D
17mm f/4 Zero-D Tilt-Shift (Nikon Z)
17mmF4- WT
- 810g
- FLT
- ⌀86mm
- MFD
- 0.25m
- MSRP
- $1,249
MFRING - 7Artisans
15mm F4 (Nikon Z)
15mmF4- WT
- 536g
- FLT
- ⌀77mm
- MFD
- 0.40m
- MSRP
- $359
MFRING
