Best Overall
Viltrox 35mm F1.7
Key details
- Weight
- 151g
- Autofocus
- STM with eye/face AF
- Focal Length
- 35mm (53mm eq.)
- Max Aperture
- f/1.7
The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 pairs a 53mm-equivalent normal view with a 151g body and an f/1.7 aperture, giving X-S10 and X-S20 owners the broadest everyday single-prime option in this set. The focal length matches eye-level perspective for street scenes, travel snaps, and casual portraits, while the aperture handles late-afternoon and indoor light without pushing ISO. Image rendering stays clean and sharp through normal apertures, with color that needs little post-processing. At 151g, it is light enough to disappear on a small camera body, which is exactly what a carry-everywhere prime should feel like.
The STM autofocus responds quickly in well-lit scenes, and the 0.33m minimum focus distance adds close-up reach for food shots or small details. The f/1.7 maximum aperture keeps shutter speeds usable on overcast days, something the f/2.8 pancake in this set cannot match. The light body keeps the camera balanced on the X-S10 and X-S20, so the lens stays comfortable for full-day outings. Wide-open, background blur at close distances has a smooth, natural falloff.
The 35mm f/1.7 sits at a budget-friendly price point, and the normal focal length covers the widest spread of daily subjects in this set. On an X-S10 or X-S20 stepping up from a kit zoom, it behaves like a one-lens kit: light enough to leave on the camera, sharp enough for casual use, and fast enough after sunset. The compromise is a fixed 53mm-equivalent view, so you frame with your feet rather than a zoom ring.
This is the default first prime for X-S10 and X-S20 owners who want one everyday normal lens for travel, street, and casual portraits. It suits buyers who keep body and lens firmware current and are willing to adjust AF focus settings when needed. If you need a wider 38mm-equivalent view, or if you would rather not update firmware or adjust AF settings, the wide-normal in this set is the safer choice. For portrait work with stronger compression, the 85mm-equivalent portrait specialist in this set is the better match.
The barrel feels solid for the price, and the light weight does not translate into a flimsy build. On the X-S10 and X-S20, the small footprint keeps the camera easy to grab from a bag, and 151g means you can leave the lens attached all day without the kit dragging on your shoulder.
๐ก Update the lens firmware before first use and set a spot AF area when contrast is low.
Pros
- A 53mm-equivalent normal view that frames the widest daily range of subjects.
- Budget-friendly price that keeps a fast normal prime accessible to first-time buyers.
- Sharp rendering with smooth background blur for casual portraits and daily details.
- 151g body that stays comfortable on the camera for all-day carry.
Cons
- In low-contrast scenes, autofocus can hunt before locking onto the subject.
The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 is the first prime to try on an X-S10 or X-S20: light, sharp, and affordable, with a normal view that fits most daily shooting.