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Viltrox has expanded its mid-tier lineup with the AF 26mm F2.8 Evo, a new pancake prime. As the smallest Evo offering yet, it continues the series’ focus on durable build quality and external controls, positioning itself as an everyday carry option for street and travel photographers.
The AF 26mm F2.8 Evo is made for full-frame E and Z mount cameras. As a pancake lens, it’s highly compact and lightweight, measuring just 24mm (0.9″) thick and weighing only 130 g (4.6 oz). Despite its diminutive size, it still offers useful controls. That includes a dedicated aperture ring, though there is no toggle to click or de-click that ring. There’s also a separate focus ring for manual focus.
The lens features two narrow control rings: one for aperture and one for focus. ViltroxThe lens uses an optical design of eight elements in six groups, including two aspherical elements and one high-refractive index (HR) element. Viltrox promises good sharpness even with the aperture wide open, and says that in-camera corrections minimize distortion. It uses a seven-blade aperture diaphragm.
The new lens uses an STM autofocus motor. It can focus as close as 0.2m (7.8″), enabling close-up shots in addition to broad views. A machined metal barrel offers greater durability, and it is dust- and splash-resistant around the lens mount. The lens is compatible with 43mm filters and uses a magnetic front lens cap. A USB-C port enables firmware updates.
The Viltrox AF 26mm F2.8 Evo is available today for E and Z mounts for $299.
Press release:
Viltrox Launches Ultra-Compact AF 26mm F2.8 EVO Pancake Lens
Durable, Full-Frame E/Z Mount Lens with Dual Control Rings Designed for the Portability Needs of Everyday Photography
Shenzhen, China, July 15, 2026 — Viltrox today announced the launch of its AF 26mm F2.8 EVO, a compact full-frame autofocus pancake lens designed for everyday carry and photography. Well suited to street photography, architecture, environmental portraits, travel, and visual storytelling, the AF 26mm F2.8 EVO is an ideal companion for creators who value great portability, dependable image quality, and intuitive handling in a lightweight full-frame system.
Durable, Ultra-Compact, With Intuitive Control
The AF 26mm F2.8 EVO is an ultra-compact lens that pairs naturally with today’s lightweight full-frame mirrorless cameras. Available for Sony E and Nikon Z mounts, this pancake lens features both a dedicated aperture ring and a separate focus ring, providing tactile manual control that is rarely found in this category.
Its precision-machined metal construction provides durability and a premium feel, while dust and splash resistance around the lens mount enhances reliability during everyday use, matching its portability to make it an ideal companion for travel and spontaneous photography.
An Excellent Perspective at Any Distance
A gear-type STM autofocus motor delivers precise and reliable autofocus performance. With a minimum focusing distance of just 0.2m, the AF 26mm F2.8 EVO allows photographers to transition seamlessly from expansive landscapes to expressive close-up compositions. With an 81.2° angle of view, the 26mm focal length sits naturally between traditional wide-angle perspectives, delivering an immersive yet natural field of view that adapts effortlessly to a broad range of subjects and shooting scenarios.
Carefully Crafted for Impressive Image Quality
Compact in size yet impressive in performance, the AF 26mm F2.8 EVO features an optical design of 8 elements in 6 groups, including 2 aspherical elements and 1 high-refractive (HR) element. The lens delivers excellent sharpness even at its maximum aperture of F2.8, allowing confident wide-open shooting. In-camera correction further helps produce natural rendering with minimal visible distortion for balanced, high-quality results.
Convenient Functionality
A magnetic front lens cap enables conveniently quick attachment and removal. A standard 43mm filter thread, a built-in USB-C port for firmware updates, and compatibility with the Viltrox Lens App further enhance the user experience, combining everyday convenience with long-term usability.
Pricing and Availability
The Viltrox AF 26mm F2.8 EVO is available for 299USD / 319EUR / 279GBP
The lens will be available from these global stores:
Viltrox Official: https://bit.ly/4vljl0i
Amazon Store US:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H334F7XG
Amazon Store Europe:https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0H334F7XG
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