In this blog I will give you a first impression of the new Viltrox Evo 55mm f/1.4 for Sony E mount. For full transparency I have a long standing relationship with Viltrox where they send me their latest lenses to try and write blogs about. This 55mm lens was sent to me ahead of the official release to test out and share my thoughts. With that in mind, this is a first impressions blog, and not a review.

I’ve been using the 55mm Evo for a couple of weeks, and I honestly think this could be one of the best value street photography lenses for the Sony system. Let’s first start with the price, and in the UK it comes in at around £359, making it very affordable in comparison to Sony’s offerings. The 50mm is a focal length that has stood the test of time within the world of street photography, and while 55mm is a little tighter, the difference is negligible. The f/1.4 aperture is an interesting one because it makes this lens a great low light option, without the bulk typically associated with larger aperture full frame lenses. When put together into one package, I can see this lens being popular with many.

Build & Size

This lens is incredibly compact and noticeably smaller than the f/1.4 alternatives, while not being that much bigger than some f/2.8 primes. It can easily be used with Sony’s larger bodies such as the A7V, as well as the more compact systems like the A7C. This is a nice size for a prime I feel, because once you start going bigger or heavier, you really feel it after a day’s shooting.

The build quality seems good, with premium feeling materials and a nice finish. The aperture ring feels well damped with solid sounding clicks. The Fn button sound seems a little cheap compared to other brands, but it’s not a big deal. The focus dial is smooth, and the switches have a nice click to them. The lens is only weather sealed on the base via the gasket, with the rest of the lens not having any weather sealing. This is common for glass at this price point and nothing that I would say is a negative. For the money you pay, I’d say the build is good.

Features

The 55mm Evo comes with all the features one would expect in a more premium Sony lens. You get a solid aperture ring, which is essential for many street photographers. A custom Fn button is invaluable, and it can be directly customised from the Sony menu. I use mine for manual focus hold. A surprising addition is a de-click switch which allows smooth aperture adjustment for video. Finally an AF/MF switch completes the feature list. Overall a great set of features for the price.

Image Quality

I feel we are reaching a point where image quality is already so good that it’s almost meaningless going into fine detail and digging into the weeds for the smallest differences. The image quality is very good. If I compare it to my daily driver, which is the 40mm f/2.5 from Sony, I can’t tell them apart. Of course if I compare it to my 50mm f/1.4 GM, then this lens is softer with a slightly different look. With that said, this lens is £359 while my 40mm f/2.5 is nearly double, and the 50mm f/1.4 is more than four times the price. When taking this into account, the image quality is great. See some sample photos below.

AF

The AF is good enough for most applications, and certainly for my use case it was never too slow. Is it as good as the linear motors found in Sony G lenses? No it’s not, but it’s not too far behind. I’ve used it extensively in AF-S and AF-C for both photo and video, and not once did I experience any focus hunting or other issues which resulted in out of focus photos. Overall the AF performance is good.

Why Avoid?

There are some people who might want to avoid this lens. The first group are those who often shoot in heavy rain, dust, or generally dirty or damp environments. While the base has a gasket, the rest of the lens isn’t sealed at all. I can’t see any issues with the occasional water exposure, but prolonged use can cause issues. I would also suggest that if you need the best AF possible for wildlife, sports, or similar scenarios, to go with more expensive glass with linear motors. f/1.4 is plenty fast enough for most low light photography. However if you find yourself shooting in increasingly dark environments, then looking at something even faster like f/1.2 might be beneficial.

Summary

This is a great value lens that offers a lot for the money. You get a compact package, an aperture fit for night shooting, all the essential features, solid build, good AF, and great image quality. I have no issues recommending this lens to anyone who wants a decent 55mm prime for street or travel photography without spending a fortune. I am a big advocate for buying gear you can actually afford, and avoiding gear that is financially out of reach or would require extensive savings or debt. Having gear you can afford means you will use it, you will take it to riskier places, which will ultimately result in better photos.

Affiliate Link

If you want to pick one up, use the link below. I get a tiny kickback from every sale that helps support this blog without relying on annoying ads. https://geni.us/ROMAN55EVOFE