AF 35mm F1.2 LAB FE – More Lens for Less Money?

By Gerald Undone review

Meet the Viltrox AF 35mm F1.2 LAB FE

Hey there, lens lovers! Today we’re diving into the brand-new Viltrox AF 35mm F1.2 LAB FE—a lens that’s been making serious waves for fast aperture, sharp images, and surprisingly affordable price. I’ve spent some hands-on time with this glass and pored over Gerald Undone’s in-depth review, so let’s break down everything you need to know in a casual, no-fluff way.

Size and Handling: A Lighter Take on the f/1.2 Formula

The Viltrox 35mm f/1.2 LAB is 160g lighter and 2cm shorter than the Sigma 35mm f/1.2. While it’s still roughly twice the size of the Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM lens, the size is perfectly reasonable considering it’s an f/1.2 ultra-fast aperture lens.

Buttons and Operation: All the Controls You Need

The lens features a comprehensive set of control buttons, with the only frustrating omission being the lack of a lock mechanism on the aperture ring. It includes two customizable function buttons: one can be assigned to camera menu functions, while the other can be set as a lens function button.

As for the aperture ring, it’s worth noting that it doesn’t follow the standard 1/3-stop click increments, adjusting from f/2.8 to f/4 takes about 6-7 clicks. In comparison, Sony lenses typically require only 2-3 clicks for the same adjustment. Switching to de-clicked aperture allows for quicker and smoother adjustments. As a result, it may take some getting used to when adjusting aperture in MF mode on the Viltrox lens. That said, the overall button layout and parameter display are well thought out.

The focus ring has a long throw, enabling more precise and controlled focusing, especially useful in still photography. However, since the focus ring is non-linear, achieving repeatable focus pulls in video mode can be challenging.

Autofocus Performance: Fast, Quiet, and Confident

The lens delivers excellent performance, with fast and reliable autofocus in both photo and video modes. While it does exhibit focus breathing, like most fast 35mm lenses, it performs slightly better than the Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM in this regard. It’s also worth mentioning that Sony’s native lenses support built-in focus breathing compensation.

Additionally, it’s important to note that cameras like the Sony A9 III impose limitations on third-party lenses, such as restricting 120 fps burst shooting. So, if built-in breathing compensation or shooting at 120 fps on the A9 III is essential for your workflow, a Sony lens is your only option. However, if your primary focus is photography, the Viltrox 35mm performs flawlessly otherwise, and can save you a few hundred dollars.
ultra-bright 35mm f/1.2 prime

Close-Focus and Sharpness: Detail Up Close

(Left: Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.2 LAB at f/1.2, Right: Sony AF 35mm f/1.4 GM at f/1.4)

Sony GM lenses are well known for their outstanding center sharpness and exceptional image quality even at extremely short minimum focusing distances—outperforming many competitors like the Sigma 35mm f/1.2. The Viltrox 35mm matches, or in some cases slightly surpasses the Sigma in this regard. While its center sharpness falls just short of the virtually unbeatable Sony GM, reaching approximately 90% to 95% of its level, the Viltrox still delivers a comparable overall performance at a significantly lower price point, saving several hundred dollars. What’s more, it offers a wider maximum aperture and greater light-gathering capability, making this balance of performance and affordability especially impressive.

Chromatic Aberration Control: Top-Tier at f/1.2

The chromatic aberration is exceptionally well controlled, and without exaggeration, its performance at f/1.2 approaches a preeminent level.

Edge Chromatic Aberration: Crisp Colors All the Way to the Frame

Lateral fringing is equally well controlled, with strong contrast maintained. Any slight fringing that may appear is minimal and can be easily corrected in post-processing.

Bokeh Beauty: Creamy Backgrounds with Just a Hint of Cat-Eye

Some cat’s-eye shaped bokeh is visible toward the edges, but when zoomed in, the bokeh remain very clean. There’s a bit of texture, but no noticeable onion rings, and the edges of the bokeh look smooth. Overall, the bokeh is soft and beautiful. Stopping down to f/2.0 virtually eliminates the cat’s-eye bokeh.

Close-Up & Combined Performance: Smooth Transitions and True-to-Life Color

At the minimum focusing distance, chromatic aberration is well controlled, with excellent retention of detail and color. Typically, many lenses exhibit chromatic shifts at minimum focus, but this lens maintains accurate color and detail while beautifully blurring the background. This is the kind of performance you'd expect from a fast f/1.2 lens.

(The fence serves as the foreground, with a beautifully soft background blur. The focus is on the light bulb, and the color is perfectly preserved with virtually no chromatic aberration. This image nicely demonstrates the kinds of challenges this lens might face, and how well it handles them.)
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Comparison 

Sharpness

At f/1.2, the sharpness is solid—while not perfect, it still delivers a very respectable level of detail.

Excellent vignetting and distortion control while maintaining great sharpness at the edges at f/1.2.

Comparing the sharpness difference between this lens at f/1.2 and f/1.4, the sharpness at f/1.4 is clearly slightly better, but the difference is minimal—about a 9/10 versus a perfect 10/10.

Sharpness comparison

When comparing this lens at f/1.4 to the Sony 35mm GM, the Sony offers slightly sharper center performance, but it also exhibits more noticeable magenta chromatic aberration. Ultimately, the choice comes down to what you prioritize: the Viltrox, which offers slightly softer sharpness but no chromatic aberration, or the Sony, which offers higher sharpness but with a magenta color cast. That said, this comparison image should satisfy all your expectations for sharpness in a 35mm lens.
premium glass under $1k third-party Sony E-mount lens
Viltrox
Sony

We’re not done yet. Let’s stop the Viltrox 35mm f/1.2 down to f/2.0. at this point, it essentially outperforms the Sony GM in both sharpness and chromatic aberration control.
high-contrast image quality high-value prime lens
Viltrox
Sony

By f/2.8, the Viltrox clearly pulls ahead across the board.

So, while image quality slightly softens with each stop above f/2.8, the lens already delivers excellent and highly usable results wide open at f/1.2—especially with impeccable chromatic control. If you’re after flawless, top-tier sharpness, stopping down to f/2.8 gives you near-impeccable results.

When both lenses are set to f/1.4, the Viltrox also shows better control over vignetting.
Viltrox AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Viltrox AF 35mm F1.2 LAB E
Viltrox
Sony

Zooming in, you’ll notice that the Sony GM has better center sharpness, but the Viltrox performs better at the edges, again thanks to its superior vignetting control.
Viltrox AF 35mm F1.2 Viltrox AF 35mm F1.2 FE
Viltrox
Sony

Flare & Sunstars

Lastly, looking at flare resistance and sunstars: here, the aperture is stopped down to f/16. typically, 35mm lenses don’t produce such distinct sunstars at f/16. but this one does—which is impressive.

Lastly, looking at flare resistance and sunstars: here, the aperture is stopped down to f/16. typically, 35mm lenses don’t produce such distinct sunstars at f/16. but this one does—which is impressive.

Final Thoughts

Compared to the Sigma 35mm f/1.2, the Viltrox is smaller, lighter, and slightly better in overall optical performance. It’s not a dramatic leap ahead, but it does outperform the Sigma in most areas. When price is considered, the Viltrox’s advantage becomes even more evident—while the Sigma is priced around $1,500, the Viltrox is just $1,000.

Against the Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM, the Sony may seem to have the upper hand in several aspects. However, the Viltrox still holds its ground in key areas, trading blows with the GM in a way that’s quite impressive, especially considering it’s over $400 cheaper and offers an extra third of a stop in light-gathering. That alone makes it a highly compelling option in the market.

Just as they promised—congrats, Viltrox, you’ve done it again.

(The above opinions and content are quoted from Gerald Undone’s channel, specifically from his review video of the Viltrox 35mm f/1.2 LAB FE)
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Reprinted from(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fxpi7q4yfIY&t=727s)