Viltrox AF 15mm f/1.7 Air vs Samyang AF 18mm f/2.8 FE
Both are Sony E mount primes for wide-angle and vlogging — here's how the specs differ and which to pick. Every spec is from the manufacturer's own catalog.
| Spec | Viltrox AF 15mm f/1.7 Air | Samyang AF 18mm f/2.8 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 15mm | 18mm |
| Max aperture | f/1.7 | f/2.8 |
| Type | prime | prime |
| Coverage | APS-C | full-frame |
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
Which should you buy?
- the Viltrox AF 15mm f/1.7 Air opens wider (f/1.7) — brighter in low light and more background blur
- the Viltrox AF 15mm f/1.7 Air (15mm) is wider — more in the frame for street and interiors; the Samyang AF 18mm f/2.8 FE (18mm) is tighter — more reach and compression for portraits
- the Samyang AF 18mm f/2.8 FE covers full-frame (also works on APS-C bodies); the Viltrox AF 15mm f/1.7 Air is APS-C-only — it won't fill a full-frame sensor
Where to buy
Viltrox AF 15mm f/1.7 AirSee price on Amazon
Samyang AF 18mm f/2.8 FESee price on Amazon
FAQ
What's the difference between the Viltrox AF 15mm f/1.7 Air and the Samyang AF 18mm f/2.8 FE?
The Viltrox AF 15mm f/1.7 Air is 15mm f/1.7 prime, APS-C; the Samyang AF 18mm f/2.8 FE is 18mm f/2.8 prime, full-frame. Both fit the Sony E mount.
Which is better in low light, the Viltrox AF 15mm f/1.7 Air or the Samyang AF 18mm f/2.8 FE?
The Viltrox AF 15mm f/1.7 Air — its f/1.7 maximum aperture lets in more light and gives more background blur than the f/2.8 of the other.
Do the Viltrox AF 15mm f/1.7 Air and Samyang AF 18mm f/2.8 FE fit the same camera?
Yes — both are Sony E mount lenses, so they fit Sony a7/a9/a1 (full-frame) and a6000-series (APS-C). Note the Viltrox AF 15mm f/1.7 Air is APS-C-only and won't fill a full-frame sensor.
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