The new Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 Air is much cheaper and optically better than the older Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS, so let’s see all the differences and which lens is really better.
Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 Air
- Focal Length: 35mm
- Max Aperture: f/1.7
- Mount: Sony E
- Weather-Sealing: ❌
- Stabilization: ❌
- Weight: 180g
- Released: 2024
- Amazon ($)
Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS
- Focal Length: 35mm
- Max Aperture: f/1.8
- Mount: Sony E
- Weather-Sealing: ❌
- Stabilization: ✔️
- Weight: 155g
- Released: 2012
- Amazon ($$)
The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 Air is a brand new lens that goes for less than $200, and delivers optically great images. It’s also got a slightly bigger aperture of f/1.7, which is ideal for low-light and traveling.
In this comparison, I will go over the advantages for each lens, show you some sample images, as well as how they both compare at different photography types.
If you’re in a hurry, the advantages below are all you need to make the final decision.
Advantages of Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 Air
Advantages of Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS
Now, let’s see which features and advantages are actually important for your specific needs and which ones only sound good on paper.
Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 vs Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS: Detailed Comparison
🔭 1. Focal Length
- Viltrox 35mm f/1.7: 35mm
- Sony 35mm f/1.8: 35mm
Both lenses provide an identical focal length range of 35mm.
I find this focal length to be ideal for portraits, weddings, traveling, street and casual photography. It’s not too wide, but it’s also not too long.
35mm is actually equivalent to a 52.5mm lens on a full-frame camera, and this is one of the most popular lengths of all time, since the film days.
🎥 2. Maximum Aperture
- Viltrox 35mm f/1.7: Aperture f/1.7
- Sony 35mm f/1.8: Aperture f/1.8
- Winner: Viltrox 🏆
The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 Air brings in a little bit more light. To be honest, it’s such a small difference that it’s not worth even stressing about. It’s less than 1/3rd of a stop of extra light, so let’s pretend both lenses are the same.
For weddings, concerts and indoor events, an aperture of f/1.7 and f/1.8 will allow you to shoot with a very low ISO.
If you do a lot of portraits, it also helps that the slightly bigger f/1.7 results in a shallower depth of field, thus nicer looking bokeh.
📏 3. Dimensions & Weight
- Viltrox 35mm f/1.7: 180g / 0.40lb
- Sony 35mm f/1.8: 155g / 0.34lb
- Winner: Sony 🏆
The Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS manages to weigh 25g less, and while you most likely won’t feel the difference, it’s still nice to have something so light. Both lenses are perfect for traveling and long photoshoots.
- Viltrox 35mm f/1.7: 64 x 56mm / 2.52″ x 2.20″
- Sony 35mm f/1.8: 63 x 45mm / 2.48″ x 1.77″
- Winner: Sony 🏆
Similar story here. The Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS is a little bit smaller than the Viltrox, and it’s enough to make a difference. You’ll most often see this when carrying the camera in your pocket, or packing all of your gear in a small backpack.
To put it simply, both Viltrox and Sony are incredibly small and easy to carry around! They make the APS-C system fun to use, which is what got me into shooting with it once again. These third-party lens options are too good to ignore.
🎥 4. Minimum Aperture
- Viltrox 35mm f/1.7: f/16
- Sony 35mm f/1.8: f/22
- Winner: Sony 🏆
The Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS has a 1 f-stop smaller aperture; f/22 versus f/16.
Is this a big deal?
Not really, especially since 90% of photographers rarely shoot with anything smaller than f/16 due to diffraction (loss of image quality). For certain landscape scenarios, or time-lapses on a bright day, you might miss f/22, but that is sooo rare.
🔬 5. Minimum Focusing Distance
- Viltrox 35mm f/1.7: Minimum focusing distance of 33cm / 12.99″
- Sony 35mm f/1.8: Minimum focusing distance of 30cm / 11.81″
- Winner: Sony 🏆
Another feature where both Viltrox and Sony are pretty much identical.
The 33cm (12.99″) closest focusing distance of the Viltrox is good enough for some close-up photography, such as food or flowers, but it’s absolutely not a crazy macro distance.
The Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS allows you to get 3cm closer to your subject than the Viltrox. How often will you appreciate this?
Unless you’re really into close-up photography of food, bugs, flowers, the miniscule 3cm difference will never be noticed. It’s nice that the Sony is better, but it’s not what I would base my purchase on.
⛅ 6. Weather-Sealing
- Viltrox 35mm f/1.7: ❌
- Sony 35mm f/1.8: ❌
- Winner: Tie
Almost all lenses can handle a light amount of rain, snow and bad weather.
Neither of these 2 lenses are weather-sealed, which is a big reason for their lower price. Well, at least in Viltrox’s case!
🎦 7. Image Stabilization
- Viltrox 35mm f/1.7: ❌
- Sony 35mm f/1.8: ✔️
- Winner: Sony 🏆
If your Sony mirrorless camera doesn’t have built-in stabilization, then the Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS might be a better deal if you often shoot in low-light, or do plenty of video recording.
Having OSS (Optical SteadyShot) helps you shoot with slower shutter speeds and still get clear results. Sometimes, this can be a difference between shooting with 1/30 instead of 1/250 and still getting a good shot!
If you’re using the Sony A6500, A6600 or the latest A6700, there’s no need to worry if your lens has OSS or not.
💿 8. Aperture Blades
- Viltrox 35mm f/1.7: 9 diaphragm blades
- Sony 35mm f/1.8: 7 diaphragm blades
- Winner: Viltrox 🏆
The more aperture blades your lens has, the smoother the bokeh is.
What’s bokeh?
The out-of-focus part of your image; usually the background. You want it to look smooth, creamy and pleasing to the eye. This is especially true for portraits or close-ups!
The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 Air has more rounder bokeh due to a higher number of diaphragm blades.
📽 9. Filter Size
- Viltrox 35mm f/1.7: 52mm filter size
- Sony 35mm f/1.8: 49mm filter size
- Winner: Sony 🏆
The Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS uses smaller filters, which means you’ll spend less money on them.
It’s not a big difference, and we’re mostly talking about spending $20 instead of $25. If you plan on getting multiple filters (UV, Polarizers, ND), then the costs can add up quickly.
💲 10. Price
- Viltrox 35mm f/1.7: $179
- Sony 35mm f/1.8: $473
- Winner: Viltrox 🏆
The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 wins hands down.
It’s less than $200 but is optically better than the Sony 35mm f/1.8.
It’s not a fair comparison to be honest, because the 13 years older Sony simply doesn’t hold up as well as new third-party lenses.
Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 vs Sony E 35mm f/1.8: Photography Type
From 1 being the worst, 5 being the best.
It’s best to choose a lens that suits your favorite photography types, or offers you something that your current gear is not good enough for.
Due to their 35mm focal length, they’re pretty much the same for most types of photography scenarios.
Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 vs Sony E 35mm f/1.8: Comparison Table
Better specifications are highlighted in green.
| 🎥 Lens Specification | Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 Air | Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS |
|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 35mm | 35mm |
| 35mm Equivalent | 52.5mm | 52.5mm |
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Maximum Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/16 | f/22 |
| Filter Size | 52 mm | 49 mm |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.13x | 0.15x |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 33cm / 12.99″ | 30cm / 11.81″ |
| Aperture Ring | No | No |
| Focus Type | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Motor Type | Stepper Motor | Stepper Motor |
| Lens Construction | 11 elements in 9 groups | 8 elements in 6 groups |
| Aperture Blades | 9 | 7 |
| Image Stabilization | ❌ | ❌ |
| Weather Sealing | ❌ | ❌ |
| Dimensions (mm) | 64 x 56mm / 2.52″ x 2.2″ | 63 x 45mm / 2.48″ x 1.77″ |
| Weight (g) | 180g / 0.40lb | 155g |
| Hood Included | Yes | Yes |
| Released | 2024 | 2012 |
| Price | Amazon | Amazon |
So, which lens is the better one?
Choose the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 Air if:
- You want better image quality for ~$300 less
- You want a slightly bigger aperture
Choose the Sony E 35mm f/1.8 if:
- You need a super compact 35mm with stabilization
The winner is Viltrox 35mm f/1.7.
Better performance for way less money.
