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Fujinon XF18mmF2 R vs Viltrox AF 15mm F1.7 Air XF
Short answer
The Fujinon XF18mmF2 R (18mm) and Viltrox AF 15mm F1.7 Air XF (15mm) are both wide-angle lenses for the Fujifilm X mount. The Viltrox AF 15mm F1.7 Air XF is the faster lens at f/1.7 against f/2 on the Fujinon XF18mmF2 R. Only the Fujinon XF18mmF2 R has an aperture ring.
Evenly matched on paper
Side by side
| Fujinon XF18mmF2 R | Viltrox AF 15mm F1.7 Air XF | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Fujifilm | Viltrox |
| Focal length | 18mm | 15mm |
| 35mm equivalent | 27mm | 23mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2 | f/1.7 |
| Mount | Fujifilm X | Fujifilm X |
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Optical stabilisation | No | — |
| Weather resistant | No | — |
| Aperture ring | Yes | — |
| Macro | No | — |
| Linear motor | No | — |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 | — |
| Aperture blades | 7 | — |
| Lens construction | — | 12 elements in 10 groups |
| Angle of view | 76.5° | — |
| Minimum focus | 0.18 m | — |
| Maximum magnification | 0.14× | — |
| Weight | 116 g | 180 g |
| Diameter | ⌀64.5 mm | — |
| Length | 33.7 mm | — |
| Filter thread | ⌀52 mm | ⌀58 mm |
| Launch price | — | $239 |
Where each one is ahead
Reasons to choose the Fujinon XF18mmF2 R
- Longer reach 27 mm vs 23 mm
- Weight 116 g vs 180 g
Reasons to choose the Viltrox AF 15mm F1.7 Air XF
- Wider view 23 mm vs 27 mm
- Maximum aperture f/1.7 vs f/2
Framing and reach
| Lens | Frames like | Horizontal view | Frame width at 10 m |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fujinon XF18mmF2 R | 27 mm | 66.3° | 13.1 m |
| Viltrox AF 15mm F1.7 Air XF | 23 mm | 76.1° | 15.7 m |
The Fujinon XF18mmF2 R gets 1.17× closer to the subject than the Viltrox AF 15mm F1.7 Air XF: whatever it points at fills 1.17× more of the frame edge to edge, or 1.4× more of its area. With the Viltrox AF 15mm F1.7 Air XF you would have to walk about 15% of the distance towards the subject to get the same picture — or crop it later, which leaves roughly 73% of the original pixels.
Angles and widths are calculated from focal length and sensor width, horizontally, on the native sensor of each mount.
Size and weight
- The Fujinon XF18mmF2 R is 64 g lighter than the Viltrox AF 15mm F1.7 Air XF, about 36% less.
- The Fujinon XF18mmF2 R takes ⌀52 mm filters and the Viltrox AF 15mm F1.7 Air XF ⌀58 mm, so filters are not shared.
What each one suits
| Fujinon XF18mmF2 R | Viltrox AF 15mm F1.7 Air XF | |
|---|---|---|
| Birds and wildlife | Poor | Poor |
| Sports | Poor | Poor |
| Portrait | Poor | Poor |
| Travel | Excellent | Very good |
| Street | Excellent | Excellent |
| Weddings | Very good | Very good |
| Walk around | Excellent | Very good |
| Vlogging | Good | Very good |
| Landscape | Good | Good |
| Macro | Poor | Poor |
Scored from the published specifications — focal length, aperture, stabilisation, weather sealing and weight. Sharpness, bokeh and rendering are not in a spec sheet and are not scored here.
Cameras that take both
Both lenses fit every interchangeable-lens X Series body — 34 in our list. Fixed-lens models such as the X100 series cannot take them.
Which one to choose
Choose the Fujinon XF18mmF2 R if
- weight matters to you. It is 64 g lighter, roughly 36% less to carry.
Choose the Viltrox AF 15mm F1.7 Air XF if
- you want more in the frame. It starts at 23 mm equivalent, against 27 mm on the other lens — interiors, landscapes and groups at close range.
Everything above comes from published specifications. How sharp each lens is, how quickly it focuses and what its pictures look like are not in any spec sheet, so this comparison does not try to judge them.
Common questions
Which is lighter, the Fujinon XF18mmF2 R or the Viltrox AF 15mm F1.7 Air XF?
The Fujinon XF18mmF2 R, by 64 g — about 36% less.
Which is better in low light, the Fujinon XF18mmF2 R or the Viltrox AF 15mm F1.7 Air XF?
The Viltrox AF 15mm F1.7 Air XF. At f/1.7 against f/2 it gathers 0.5 stops more light, which matters without flash and for background blur. Stabilisation can offset some of that for still subjects, but not for moving ones.
Do the Fujinon XF18mmF2 R and Viltrox AF 15mm F1.7 Air XF use the same filters?
No. The Fujinon XF18mmF2 R takes ⌀52 mm and the Viltrox AF 15mm F1.7 Air XF ⌀58 mm. A step-up ring lets the smaller lens use the larger filters.
Will both lenses fit my camera?
Both use the Fujifilm X mount, so they fit any X Series camera with interchangeable lenses. They do not fit fixed-lens models such as the X100 series or GFX bodies.
compare.faqTitle
Which one is lighter?
The Fujinon XF18mmF2 R, by 64 g (116 g against 180 g).
Which is better, the Fujinon XF18mmF2 R or the Viltrox AF 15mm F1.7 Air XF?
On paper they come out even across 22 compared specs. What is left is handling and today’s price, which this page does not measure.
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Built from the specifications Fujifilm publishes.