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Venus Optics Laowa 25mm F 2 8 2 5 5X Ultra Macro Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price:~£400Lens mount:Canon EF, Canon RF, Nikon F, Nikon Z, Sony E, L-Mount, Pentax KMaximum focal length:25 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):2.8Optical image stabilization:noMaximum angle of view:10.3 °

Venus Optics Laowa 25mm F 2 8 2 5 5X Ultra Macro Review: Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Camera lenses category and whether it is worth buying.

5.9

Overall score

Score
5.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the camera lens's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best camera lenses on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 85% of models
Score components

80%

5.3

Technical score

20%

8.1

User score

â–¼Worse than 85% of camera-lenses
5.3

Technical score

Technical score
5.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 85% of models
Score components

35%

5.8

Optics & Aperture

24%

6.1

Build & Handling

20%

4.4

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

â–¼Worse than 85% of camera-lenses
8.1

User score

User score
8.1/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

8.6

User ratings

30%

7.1

Number of reviews

Based on 226 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–¼Worse than 58% of camera-lenses
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Best prices

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of camera lens Venus Optics Laowa 25mm F 2 8 2 5 5X Ultra Macro

Technical score
Technical score
5.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 85% of models
Score components:

35%

5.8

Optics & Aperture

24%

6.1

Build & Handling

20%

4.4

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

5.3
User score
User score
8.1/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

8.6

User ratings

30%

7.1

Number of reviews

Based on 226 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
8.1
Popularity
Popularity
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 53% of models
Popularity:
Venus Optics Laowa 25mm F 2 8 2 5 5X Ultra Macro has a popularity score of 7.1 points, which is lower than 52.2% of camera lenses.
7.1
Value for money
Value for money
6.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the camera lens's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you want to know how much overall quality you get for the price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
Score components:

60%

5.9

Overall score

40%

8.4

Price

6.6
Lens type
macro
Lens mount
Canon EF, Canon RF, Nikon F, Nikon Z, Sony E, L-Mount, Pentax K
Sensor format coverage
Full-frame
Filter thread size
N/A
Teleconverter compatibility
no
Teleconverter compatibility
no
â–¼ Worse than 15% of models
This camera lens does not support teleconverters. 15.3% of camera lenses support teleconverters.
Show more
Minimum focal length
25 mm
Maximum focal length
25 mm
Optical zoom
N/A
Maximum angle of view
10.3 °
Minimum angle of view
10.3 °
Show more
Focus motor
N/A
Minimum focus distance
0.173 m
Minimum focus distance
0.173 m
★ Better than 91% of models
Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
This camera lens focuses as close as 0.173 m, which is closer than 90.6% of camera lenses and equal to 0.9% of camera lenses.
Maximum reproduction ratio
5xx
Maximum reproduction ratio
5x
★ Better than 100% of models
Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
This camera lens reaches a reproduction ratio of 5x, which is higher than 99.9% of camera lenses and equal to 0.1% of camera lenses.
Full-time manual focus
no
Full-time manual focus
no
â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
This camera lens does not support full-time manual focus. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Manual-focus-only lens.
Internal focusing
no
Internal focusing
no
â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
This camera lens does not support internal focusing. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Show more
Optical image stabilization
no
Optical image stabilization
no
â–¼ Worse than 29% of models
This camera lens does not support optical image stabilization. 29.1% of camera lenses include optical image stabilization.
Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
N/A
Weight
400 g
Weight
400 g
â–² Better than 64% of models
Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
This camera lens weighs 400 g, which is lighter than 63.9% of camera lenses and equal to the weight of 0.5% of camera lenses.
Lens length
82 mm
Lens length
82 mm
â–² Better than 63% of models
Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
This camera lens is 82 mm long, which is shorter than 62.9% of camera lenses and equal to the length of 1.1% of camera lenses.
Lens diameter
65 mm
Lens diameter
65 mm
â–² Better than 81% of models
Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
This camera lens has a diameter of 65 mm, which is slimmer than 81.3% of camera lenses and equal to that of 2.1% of camera lenses.
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
This camera lens does not support weather sealing. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
Metal mount
yes
Metal mount
yes
â–² Better than 6% of models
This camera lens uses a metal lens mount. 93.6% of camera lenses use a metal lens mount.
Show more
DxOMark overall score
?
DxOMark sharpness score
?
DxOMark transmission
?
DxOMark distortion
?
DxOMark vignetting
?
Show more

Venus Optics Laowa 25mm F 2 8 2 5 5X Ultra Macro vs the average camera lens

246810TotalMount & FormatOptics & ApertureFocus & ControlsStabilizationBuild & HandlingLab Scores
  • Has aperture ring
    Aperture ring
    yes
    â–² Better than 69% of models
    This camera lens has an aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 31.3% of camera lenses include an aperture ring.
  • Has de-clickable aperture ring
    De-clickable aperture ring
    yes
    â–² Better than 82% of models
    This camera lens has a de-clickable aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 18.3% of camera lenses support a de-clickable aperture ring.
    De-clickable aperture ring.
  • Has focus distance scale
    Focus distance scale
    yes
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This camera lens has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
  • 4.81 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    5 x
    ★ Better than 100% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (5 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    5 x vs 0.192 x
  • 12 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    65 mm
    â–² Better than 81% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (65 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    65 mm vs 77 mm
  • 0.13 m shorter minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.173 m
    ★ Better than 91% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.173 m vs 0.3 m
  • 110 g lighter
    Weight
    400 g
    â–² Better than 64% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (400 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    400 g vs 510 g
  • 10.25 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    82 mm
    â–² Better than 63% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (82 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    82 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • Has aperture ring
    Aperture ring
    yes
    â–² Better than 69% of models
    This camera lens has an aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 31.3% of camera lenses include an aperture ring.
  • Has de-clickable aperture ring
    De-clickable aperture ring
    yes
    â–² Better than 82% of models
    This camera lens has a de-clickable aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 18.3% of camera lenses support a de-clickable aperture ring.
    De-clickable aperture ring.
  • Has focus distance scale
    Focus distance scale
    yes
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This camera lens has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
  • 4.81 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    5 x
    ★ Better than 100% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (5 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    5 x vs 0.192 x
  • 0.13 m shorter minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.173 m
    ★ Better than 91% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.173 m vs 0.3 m
  • 12 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    65 mm
    â–² Better than 81% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (65 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    65 mm vs 77 mm
  • 110 g lighter
    Weight
    400 g
    â–² Better than 64% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (400 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    400 g vs 510 g
  • 10.25 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    82 mm
    â–² Better than 63% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (82 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    82 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • Newer release date
    Release date
    2018
    â–² Better than 59% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released more recently than the average camera lens.
    March 2018
    2018 vs 2016
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • No full-time manual focus
    Full-time manual focus
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
    This camera lens does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
    Manual-focus-only lens.
  • No rounded blades
    Rounded aperture blades
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
    This camera lens does not use rounded aperture blades, the average camera lens does. 87.8% of camera lenses use rounded aperture blades.
    8 blades.
  • No internal focusing
    Internal focusing
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
    This camera lens does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
  • 2 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    Market range: <0 – >3
    This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    0 vs 2
  • 1 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    8
    â–¼ Worse than 56% of models
    Market range: <7 – >9
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (8 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    8 vs 9
  • Fixed lens hood
    Reversible lens hood
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
    This camera lens does not include a reversible lens hood, the average camera lens does. 81.4% of camera lenses include a reversible lens hood.
  • No infinity focus
    Infinity focus
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 100% of models
    This camera lens does not support infinity focus, the average camera lens does. 99.8% of camera lenses support infinity focus.
    Close-range-only macro design.
  • 4% worse value for money
    Venus Optics Laowa 25mm F 2 8 2 5 5X Ultra Macro has a worse value-for-money score than the average camera lens (6.62 vs 6.9).
    6.62 vs 6.89
  • No rounded blades
    Rounded aperture blades
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
    This camera lens does not use rounded aperture blades, the average camera lens does. 87.8% of camera lenses use rounded aperture blades.
    8 blades.
  • 1 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    8
    â–¼ Worse than 56% of models
    Market range: <7 – >9
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (8 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    8 vs 9
  • 2 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    Market range: <0 – >3
    This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    0 vs 2
  • 1 fewer low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    1
    â–¼ Worse than 55% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    1 vs 2
  • No full-time manual focus
    Full-time manual focus
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
    This camera lens does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
    Manual-focus-only lens.
  • No internal focusing
    Internal focusing
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
    This camera lens does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
  • No infinity focus
    Infinity focus
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 100% of models
    This camera lens does not support infinity focus, the average camera lens does. 99.8% of camera lenses support infinity focus.
    Close-range-only macro design.
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • Fixed lens hood
    Reversible lens hood
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
    This camera lens does not include a reversible lens hood, the average camera lens does. 81.4% of camera lenses include a reversible lens hood.

Third-party reviews

Based on 226 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about Venus Optics Laowa 25mm F 2 8 2 5 5X Ultra Macro

  • Extremely high magnification range (2.5x to 5x) for ultra-macro photography
  • Excellent sharpness and image quality across all magnifications
  • Compact, lightweight, and slim design, which makes it easier to position around small subjects
  • Robust and sturdy build quality
  • Smaller front element compared to other options facilitates easier lighting of the subject

What we don't like about Venus Optics Laowa 25mm F 2 8 2 5 5X Ultra Macro

  • Very short working distance (approx. 40-45mm), limiting space for lighting and making it hard to photograph live insects
  • Fully manual lens with no autofocus, no aperture coupling, and no EXIF data transmission
  • Extremely shallow depth of field, often requiring focus stacking
  • Difficult to use for beginners, demanding a steep learning curve
  • No built-in filter thread

Verdict

The Venus Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro is a specialized full-frame manual prime lens featuring an optical design of 8 elements in 6 groups, including one extra-low dispersion element, alongside an 8-blade aperture diaphragm. It is characterized by an extreme magnification range from 2.5:1 to 5:1 with a working distance of 40mm to 45mm, optimized purely for high-magnification close-up photography without infinity focus capability. Key pros include outstanding edge-to-edge sharpness, a compact and lightweight all-metal barrel design that facilitates optimal lighting on tiny subjects, and reduced chromatic aberrations. However, notable cons include a completely manual operation with no autofocus, no electronic contacts for EXIF data transmission, a stiff magnification ring, lack of weather sealing, and a paper-thin depth of field prone to severe diffraction past f/8.

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