Viltrox Unveils APO-Enhanced AF 35mm and 55mm f/1.8 Evo Lenses for Sony E and Nikon Z Mounts at NAB Show 2026

Las Vegas, NV – Viltrox has significantly expanded its innovative Evo lens lineup with the introduction of two new prime lenses: the AF 35mm f/1.8 Evo and the AF 55mm f/1.8 Evo. Announced today at the prestigious NAB Show 2026 in Las Vegas, these lenses represent a notable advancement for the brand, particularly with their integrated apochromatic (APO) optical designs. Designed to cater to both still photographers and videographers, these new optics will be available for the widely adopted Sony E-mount and Nikon Z-mount camera systems, further solidifying Viltrox’s commitment to a unified photo-to-cinema ecosystem.

The debut of these two lenses at NAB Show 2026, a pivotal event for the broadcast, television, and film industries, underscores Viltrox’s strategic push to offer professional-grade optical solutions that bridge the gap between traditional photography and advanced videography. The timing of the announcement suggests Viltrox is aiming to capture the attention of hybrid creators who demand exceptional image quality and versatile performance across diverse shooting scenarios. This move also signals Viltrox’s growing ambition to compete more directly with established lens manufacturers by focusing on advanced optical technologies and user-centric features.

A Dual Release Built Around APO Performance and Enhanced Color Accuracy

At the heart of both the Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.8 Evo and the AF 55mm f/1.8 Evo lies a sophisticated apochromatic (APO) optical design. This advanced configuration is engineered to meticulously align red, green, and blue wavelengths of light onto the same focal plane. The practical implication for creators is a significant reduction in chromatic aberration, often perceived as distracting color fringing, especially in high-contrast areas of an image. This results in cleaner edges, more accurate color reproduction, and a more consistent overall image quality, which is paramount for professional output in both photography and videography.

Beyond the APO correction, Viltrox has incorporated extra-low dispersion elements and high-grade optical glass into the construction of both lenses. This meticulous selection of materials and design principles ensures that the lenses maintain exceptional sharpness and tonal consistency, not only in the in-focus areas but also as details transition into the soft bokeh of the out-of-focus background. This capability is crucial for achieving natural-looking depth-of-field effects and a pleasing aesthetic in portraits and cinematic shots. The smooth rendering of out-of-focus areas contributes to a more organic and visually appealing image, a hallmark of high-quality optics.

Both lenses also boast a bright f/1.8 maximum aperture, a critical feature that enhances their versatility across a wide spectrum of lighting conditions. This wide aperture allows for greater light gathering, enabling photographers and videographers to shoot effectively in challenging low-light environments without resorting to excessively high ISO settings, which can introduce noise. Furthermore, the f/1.8 aperture facilitates the creation of shallow depth of field, allowing for subject isolation and the artistic blurring of backgrounds, a technique highly valued in both portraiture and cinematic storytelling.

The AF 35mm f/1.8 Evo: A Versatile Visual Storyteller for Everyday Capture

The Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.8 Evo is positioned as an all-around lens designed for narrative-driven content creation. Its 63-degree field of view strikes a compelling balance, offering enough environmental context to ground the subject while still providing ample opportunity for subject isolation. Viltrox suggests this focal length is particularly well-suited for a range of genres, including dynamic street photography, immersive travel documentation, and engaging environmental portraits.

Internally, the lens features a complex optical construction comprising 13 elements arranged in 10 groups. This design includes specialized elements such as Extra-low Dispersion (ED), High Refractive (HR), and Ultra-high Aspherical (UA) elements. These advanced components work in concert to minimize aberrations and maintain edge-to-edge sharpness, even when used with the latest high-resolution camera sensors. The APO design further contributes to the suppression of chromatic aberration, ensuring that details remain crisp and colors are rendered accurately, even under challenging lighting conditions where color fringing is typically most apparent.

With a minimum focusing distance of approximately 13 inches (0.3 meters), the AF 35mm f/1.8 Evo also offers respectable close-up capabilities. This allows creators to capture intricate details and textures, opening up possibilities for macro-style shots or detailed still-life compositions, all while maintaining consistent sharpness from the closest focus point to infinity.

Weighing in at approximately 11.6 ounces (330 grams), the lens strikes a good balance between portability and robust construction. Its compact size makes it an ideal companion for everyday carry, ensuring that creators are equipped for spontaneous photographic opportunities. The lens body features a durable, all-metal construction, contributing to its longevity and professional feel. Practical considerations for real-world shooting include a rubber-sealed mount, which provides a more secure and weather-resistant connection to the camera body, and a front element treated with water- and smudge-resistant coatings, making it easier to clean and maintain in various environmental conditions.

Autofocus performance is driven by an STM (stepping motor) system, renowned for its speed, responsiveness, and quiet operation. This ensures that the lens can accurately track fast-moving subjects, capture fleeting moments with minimal delay, and operate discreetly during video recording, where audio pickup of lens noise can be a significant issue.

The AF 55mm f/1.8 Evo: A Natural Perspective with Refined Rendering for Portraits and Details

The Viltrox AF 55mm f/1.8 Evo offers a focal length that is often considered a classic for natural perspectives, making it a strong contender for portraiture, still life, and compositions that emphasize detail and realism. Its 43-degree field of view provides a lifelike rendition of space, with a balanced sense of depth that closely mimics human vision.

Similar to its 35mm sibling, the 55mm lens features an APO optical design, with its 13 elements distributed across nine groups. This configuration is optimized to effectively suppress color fringing and maintain uniform sharpness across the entire frame. The integration of specialized optical elements is key to achieving clean, high-resolution results, which remain impressive even when images are cropped or closely examined.

The lens offers a minimum focusing distance of nearly 17 inches (0.4 meters), providing ample flexibility for framing tighter compositions and isolating subjects. The fast f/1.8 aperture works in tandem with this focal length to produce smooth, natural bokeh, characterized by gentle transitions between sharp focus and the softly blurred background. This characteristic is highly desirable for creating flattering portraits and adding a cinematic quality to video footage.

Weighing approximately 12.9 ounces (365 grams), the AF 55mm f/1.8 Evo remains lightweight and manageable, despite its solid, all-metal construction. This ensures comfort during extended shooting sessions. The lens also incorporates the same practical durability features as the 35mm model, including a sealed mount and protective coatings on the front element, making it a reliable tool for outdoor photography.

In terms of handling and control, the AF 55mm f/1.8 Evo is equipped with responsive STM autofocus and user-friendly physical controls. These include a customizable Fn (Function) button, a click switch for aperture control, and an AF/MF toggle, providing intuitive operation that caters to both still photography and video workflows. These physical controls offer tactile feedback and quick access to essential functions, which are particularly beneficial in fast-paced shooting environments or when working with gloves.

A Cohesive Evo Prime Lineup for Hybrid Creators

With the introduction of the 35mm and 55mm f/1.8 Evo lenses, Viltrox is systematically building a comprehensive and cohesive Evo prime lens trio. This lineup is further complemented by their existing AF 85mm f/1.8 Evo lens, which has already garnered positive reception for its portrait capabilities. The overarching goal of this series is to provide creators with a lightweight, consistent set of lenses that share a unified design language and optical philosophy.

This consistency in rendering and handling is a significant advantage for hybrid creators who frequently switch between capturing still images and shooting video. By utilizing lenses from the same series, creators can expect predictable image characteristics, similar bokeh rendering, and a unified user experience, minimizing the need for extensive post-production adjustments to match footage from different lenses. This streamlining of the workflow is invaluable in professional settings where efficiency and consistency are paramount.

Expanding the Viltrox Ecosystem at NAB Show 2026

The launch of these new Evo lenses is part of Viltrox’s broader strategy to showcase its expanding imaging ecosystem at NAB Show 2026. The company is using this prominent industry platform to highlight its growing range of products, which extend beyond still photography lenses to include professional cinema-focused tools. Among these are the EPIC series of cinema lenses, Raze lenses specifically designed for the DJI Ronin 4D camera system, and the NexusFocus adapter.

This comprehensive ecosystem demonstrates Viltrox’s ambition to support creators throughout the entire production pipeline, from initial image capture to final output. By offering a diverse range of tools that cater to various aspects of content creation, Viltrox aims to become a one-stop solution provider for a wide spectrum of visual professionals. The integration of these different product lines suggests a long-term vision of synergy, where each component is designed to work seamlessly with others, enhancing overall productivity and creative potential.

The emphasis on a unified "Photo to Cinema" approach is evident in Viltrox’s product development. This means that lenses and accessories are engineered with considerations for both high-resolution still imaging and the specific demands of video production, such as smooth aperture control, silent autofocus, and consistent color science. As hybrid shooting continues to dominate the content creation landscape, lenses that can deliver reliable results across both disciplines are becoming not just a desirable feature, but an essential requirement for many professionals.

Pricing and Availability

The new Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.8 Evo and AF 55mm f/1.8 Evo lenses are slated for release with an anticipated retail price of $395 for the 35mm model and $370 for the 55mm model. These competitive price points are expected to make advanced APO optical technology more accessible to a broader range of photographers and videographers.

Viltrox has indicated that availability may vary by region, with further details on specific retailers and release dates anticipated to follow the initial debut at NAB Show 2026. This pricing strategy aligns with Viltrox’s established reputation for offering high-value optical solutions that challenge more expensive alternatives in the market.

The introduction of these APO-enhanced Evo primes signifies a significant step forward for Viltrox, reinforcing its position as a dynamic and forward-thinking player in the competitive lens manufacturing industry. By focusing on core focal lengths with advanced optical technologies and user-centric features, Viltrox is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of modern creators.

Image credits: Viltrox