CameraReview
Viltrox AF 40mm F2.5 Air
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Viltrox · 40 mm · f/2.5 · Sony E, Nikon Z mount

Viltrox AF 40mm F2.5 Air

From $168 — 1 offer
KEY FACTS
BrandViltrox
Announcement dateApr 2024
Released2024
Production started2024
Production statusIn Production
What We Like
+Exceptionally lightweight at just 167g, perfect for travel and street photography
+Excellent sharpness between f/5.6 and f/8, with responsive STM autofocus
+Outstanding value at budget-friendly price ($158-168), significantly cheaper than competing options
+Versatile 40mm focal length bridges 35mm and 50mm perspectives, ideal for diverse shooting styles
+Metal mount with USB-C firmware updates and includes quality petal-shaped lens hood
+Good edge-to-edge performance when stopped down, minimal distortion and CA control
Worth Knowing
Plastic barrel construction feels less premium compared to metal alternatives, though build quality is solid
Limited to f/2.5 aperture—slower than competing 40mm options (Nikon Z 40mm f/2 is two-thirds stop faster)
No weather sealing (except front coating), edge softness at maximum aperture f/2.5
Lacks aperture control ring for manual override, and some firmware compatibility issues reported with newer camera bodies

General

Brand
Viltrox
Announcement date
Refers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera.
Apr 2024
Released
Refers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale.
2024
Production started
2024
Production status
Current status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued).
In Production
Read our notes on general
The Viltrox AF 40mm f/2.5 "Air" series lens is a fantastic option for photographers looking for a compact, affordable prime lens with solid performance. Weighing in at just 167 g, the Viltrox AF 40mm f/2.5 is very lightweight and compact, making it an excellent lens for travel and street photography. The Viltrox AF 40mm f/2.5 Air is a very sharp lens, and overall very impressive for travel and everyday use. At under $170, it delivers remarkable image quality and versatility that punches well above its price point.

Optics

Minimum Aperture
f/16
Optical Elements
10 elements in 6 groups
Special Elements
1 ED lens, 3 high refractive index lenses, 1 aspherical lens
Min focal length
40 mm
Max focal length
40 mm
Focal range
Shortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end )
40 mm
Zoom lens
Zoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups
No
Max aperture wide
2.5
Max aperture zoom
2.5
Blades
Number of diaphragm blades in aperture
7020
Autofocus mode
Yes
Closest focusing distance
Minimum distance for a subject to be in focus.
34 cm01500

Autofocus

AF Type
STM (Stepping Motor)
AF System
Autofocus with eye/face detection
Maximum Magnification
0.14x

Build

Construction
Engineered plastic barrel with metal mount
Lens Hood
Petal-shaped bayonet-fit hood (included)

Coatings

Lens Coating
Nano-coated multi-layer coating
Front Element
Weather-resistant waterproof and anti-fouling coating

Video

Focus Breathing
Minimal/low focus breathing
Video AF
STM autofocus with smooth, quiet operation

Other

EXIF Support
Yes, EXIF data transfer
Firmware Updates
USB Type-C port for firmware upgrades

Physical

Lens weight
167 g
Front filter size
Diameter of attachable filters.
52 mm
Lens mount
The lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras.
Sony E, Nikon Z