A standard zoom lens is the go-to choice for many of us but for landscapes, cityscapes, architectural interiors and more besides, the minimum focal length of around 24mm to 28mm can feel a little limiting. Pop this Viltrox 20mm lens on an FX format body, put your eye to the viewfinder and it feels like taking the blinkers off, shoehorning much more of a scene into the image frame. It’s a useful addition to a standard zoom and at just 68x61mm and 173mm in weight, it’s pretty much small enough to carry around in a spare pocket.
Despite its bargain basement price tag, the lens feels sturdy and robust, features a metal mounting plate and comes with a petal shaped hood. Indeed, there’s even a USB-C port built into the mounting plate for applying firmware updates, if and when needed. As with the other lenses on test, this one features a linear stepping motor-based autofocus system, which is quick, smooth and virtually silent.