Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G § 03 Head to head
Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G vs Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air
Sony 16mm f/1.8 has a longer reach. Viltrox 15mm f/1.7 is 0.2 stops brighter maximum aperture.
Both lenses are made for the Sony E mount: the Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G is a 16mm f/1.8 prime, and the Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air is a 15mm f/1.7 prime. On paper the Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air comes out ahead, 6 advantages to 4, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G 
Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air 01
Key differences
Why is the Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G better than the Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air?
- Longer reach (16mm vs 15mm)
- Focuses 8 cm closer (0.15 m vs 0.23 m)
- More aperture blades (11 vs 9)
- Covers a larger sensor format (full-frame vs APS-C)
Why is the Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air better than the Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G?
- 0.2 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/1.7 vs f/1.8)
- Wider field of view (15mm vs 16mm)
- 124 g lighter (180 g vs 304 g)
- 9 mm shorter (65 mm vs 73.8 mm long)
- Smaller filter thread (58 mm vs 67 mm)
- $560 cheaper ($239 list price vs $799 launch price)
02
Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air has the edge: it goes wider, to 15mm against 16mm.
- architecture For architecture, the Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air has the edge: it goes wider, to 15mm against 16mm.
- low-light For low-light shooting, the Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air has the edge: its f/1.7 aperture gathers more light than f/1.8.
- astrophotography For astrophotography, the Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air has the edge: its f/1.7 aperture gathers more light than f/1.8.
03
Specification
| Specification | Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G | Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 16mm | 15mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.7 ◆ |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full Frame | APS-C |
| Weight | 304 g | 180 g ◆ |
| Dimensions | 75 x 73.8 mm | 56.4 x 65 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.15 m ◆ | 0.23 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.25x | — |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 11 ◆ | 9 |
| Optical construction | 15 elements / 12 groups | 12 elements / 10 groups |
| Filter size | 67 mm | 58 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Sony E | Sony E, Nikon Z, Fujifilm X |
| Released | 2025 | 2025 |
| Price | $799 launch price | $239 list price ◆ |
04
Size
- A · Sony
- B · Viltrox
- 73.8 × 75 mm
- 65 × 56.4 mm
The Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G is 9 mm longer and 124 g heavier than the Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air.
05
Sample frames
Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G
Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air
06
Video reviews
07
Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G or the Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air?
- The Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air opens to f/1.7, against f/1.8 on the Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G, 0.2 stops brighter.
- Which is lighter, the Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G or the Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air?
- The Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air weighs 180 g, 124 g less than the Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G (304 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G or the Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air?
- The Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G focuses down to 0.15 m, against 0.23 m for the Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air.
- Do the Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G and the Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G or the Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air has the edge: it goes wider, to 15mm against 16mm.
- Is the Sony FE 16 mm f/1.8 G or the Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Viltrox AF 15 mm f/1.7 Air has the edge: it goes wider, to 15mm against 16mm.
08