YONGNUO YONGNUO YN17MM F1.7M Lens for M43 Mount, 17mm F1.7 Review
The Yongnuo 17mm f/1.7 is a budget lens with a great aperture and surprising macro skills, but its optical performance holds it back from being a must-buy.
Overview
This Yongnuo 17mm f/1.7 is a weird little lens. It's got a great aperture and surprisingly good close-focusing chops, but its optical performance is just okay. The one thing to know is this: if you're a Micro Four Thirds shooter who wants a cheap, fast prime for casual portraits or creative close-ups, it's a fun option. But if you need sharp corners or a versatile walk-around focal length, you'll be disappointed.
Performance
What surprised me was the macro performance. It lands in the 95th percentile for close-focusing, which is wild for a cheap prime. You can get right up on small subjects and that f/1.7 aperture gives you a nice, soft background. The autofocus, however, is exactly what you'd expect for the price—it's fine in good light but hunts a bit in lower contrast situations. It's not slow, but it's not confidence-inspiring either.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Shockingly good close-focusing ability for the price. 89th
- The f/1.7 aperture is genuinely useful in low light. 87th
- Build quality feels solid for a budget lens. 85th
- Built-in stabilization is a nice bonus for older bodies. 81th
Cons
- Optical sharpness, especially in the corners, is mediocre.
- The 17mm focal length (34mm equivalent) is an awkward in-between length.
- Autofocus is just average and can be noisy.
- Not weather-sealed, so keep it out of the rain.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Focal Length Min | 17 |
| Focal Length Max | 17 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.7 |
Build
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds |
| Weight | 0.3 kg / 0.6 lbs |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 52 |
Value & Pricing
At around $178, it's a decent value if you specifically want its strengths. You're paying for the aperture and the macro-like performance, not for optical perfection. For the price, you get a fun, fast lens to play with.
vs Competition
The most direct competitor is the Panasonic Lumix 20mm f/1.7 II. It's more expensive, but it's sharper, has a better focal length (a true 40mm equivalent), and is much smaller. The Yongnuo wins on price and close-focusing. If you want a zoom, the Panasonic 14-140mm is way more versatile but much slower (f/5.6 at the long end). The Yongnuo is for when you want a fast aperture on a tight budget and don't mind some optical compromises.
| Spec | YONGNUO YONGNUO YN17MM F1.7M Lens for M43 Mount, 17mm F1.7 | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Viltrox VILTROX 35mm F1.7 f/1.7 Air AF Lens for Fuji X | Canon Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) | Sirui Sirui Sniper 56mm f/1.2 Autofocus Lens (Sony E, |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 17mm | 55mm | 35mm | 24mm | 24-70mm | 56mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.4 | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/1.2 |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Nikon Z | Fujifilm X | Canon RF | Nikon Z | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 269 | 281 | 400 | 269 | 676 | 422 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | STM | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | - | - | - | Zoom | Zoom | - |
Verdict
This is a niche pick. I can only recommend the Yongnuo 17mm f/1.7 if you're on a strict budget and you know you'll use its close-focusing capability. For most people, saving up for the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 or even the Olympus 17mm f/1.8 is a better long-term investment. This lens is fun, but it's not an essential part of your kit.