Confirmed: Chinese manufacturer (probably Viltrox) will soon launch three E-mount zoom lenses!
A reliable leaker on Weibo wrote this:
Chinese zoom autofocus lenses are under development. Mr. Ma has confirmed through news channels that domestic brands are currently developing new zoom AF lenses. One of them has approved two full-frame zoom AF lenses and at least one APS-C frame zoom AF lens, and the first launch of the bayonet mount is E and Z.
In addition, the news of domestic F1.4 full-frame large aperture AF lens has been confirmed. If everything goes well, it is expected that one or two F1.4 large aperture AF lenses will be launched in 2024, ensuring one and striving for two, with commonly used focal lengths, and the first launch of the bayonet mount is E and Z.
Companies like Viltrox and 7Artisans already offer autofocus prime lenses. Making zoom lenses is much harder because the autofocus algorithm gets much more complicated. Now it seems like Chinese manufacturers tackled the issue and we are getting three E-mount zoom lenses this year already!
My bet is that Viltrox will be the first Chinese company launching an AF zoom lens in 2025. Just a reminder: Viltrox teased the launch of many fast primes…including f/1.4 primes like mentioned by the leaker:
- Viltrox AF135mm F1.8 LAB E full frame
- Viltrox AF35mm F1.2 LAB E full frame
- Viltrox AF50mm F1.2 LAB E full frame
- Viltrox AF85mm F1.2 LAB E full frame
- Viltrox AF35mm F1.4 Pro E full frame
- Viltrox AF50mm F1.4 Pro E full frame
- Viltrox AF85mm F1.4 Pro E full frame
