OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Camera lenses Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo Camera lenses Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
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Venus Optics Laowa 4mm F 2 8 Fisheye MFT Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price:~£260Lens mount:Micro Four ThirdsMaximum focal length:4 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):2.8Optical image stabilization:noMaximum angle of view:210 °

Venus Optics Laowa 4mm F 2 8 Fisheye MFT 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.

5.7

Overall score

Score
5.7/ 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 90% of models
Score components

80%

5.2

Technical score

20%

7.6

User score

â–¼Worse than 90% of camera-lenses
5.2

Technical score

Technical score
5.2/ 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 87% of models
Score components

35%

5.2

Optics & Aperture

24%

5.7

Build & Handling

20%

5.3

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

â–¼Worse than 87% of camera-lenses
7.6

User score

User score
7.6/ 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 84% of models
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

5.8

Number of reviews

Based on 88 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 84% 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 4mm F 2 8 Fisheye MFT

Technical score
Technical score
5.2/ 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 87% of models
Score components:

35%

5.2

Optics & Aperture

24%

5.7

Build & Handling

20%

5.3

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

5.2
User score
User score
7.6/ 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 84% of models
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

5.8

Number of reviews

Based on 88 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.
7.6
Popularity
Popularity
5.8/ 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 70% of models
Popularity:
Venus Optics Laowa 4mm F 2 8 Fisheye MFT has a popularity score of 5.8 points, which is lower than 68.6% of camera lenses.
5.8
Value for money
Value for money
6.7/ 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 61% of models
Score components:

60%

5.7

Overall score

40%

9.2

Price

6.7
Lens type
fisheye
Lens mount
Micro Four Thirds
Sensor format coverage
Micro Four Thirds
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
4 mm
Maximum focal length
4 mm
Optical zoom
N/A
Maximum angle of view
210 °
Minimum angle of view
210 °
Show more
Focus motor
N/A
Minimum focus distance
0.8 m
Minimum focus distance
0.8 m
â–¼ Worse than 79% of models
Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
This camera lens focuses as close as 0.8 m, which is farther than 78.8% of camera lenses and equal to 2.2% of camera lenses.
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.111xx
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.111x
â–¼ Worse than 87% of models
Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
This camera lens reaches a reproduction ratio of 0.111x, which is lower than 86.7% of camera lenses and equal to 3.7% 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.
Internal focusing
yes
Internal focusing
yes
â–² Better than 16% of models
This camera lens supports internal focusing. 83.6% 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
135 g
Weight
135 g
★ Better than 94% of models
Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
This camera lens weighs 135 g, which is lighter than 93.7% of camera lenses and equal to the weight of 0.6% of camera lenses.
Lens length
25.5 mm
Lens length
25.5 mm
★ Better than 97% of models
Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
This camera lens is 25.5 mm long, which is shorter than 97.2% of camera lenses and equal to the length of 0.2% of camera lenses.
Lens diameter
45.2 mm
Lens diameter
45.2 mm
★ Better than 100% of models
Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
This camera lens has a diameter of 45.2 mm, which is slimmer than 99.9% of camera lenses and equal to that of 0.1% 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 4mm F 2 8 Fisheye MFT 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.
  • 375 g lighter
    Weight
    135 g
    ★ Better than 94% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (135 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    135 g vs 510 g
  • 66.75 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    25.5 mm
    ★ Better than 97% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (25.5 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    25.5 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 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.
  • 31.8 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    45.2 mm
    ★ Better than 100% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (45.2 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    45.2 mm vs 77 mm
  • Newer release date
    Release date
    2019
    â–² Better than 65% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released more recently than the average camera lens.
    2019 vs 2016
  • 2.04x cheaper
    Venus Optics Laowa 4mm F 2 8 Fisheye MFT is cheaper than the average camera lens (£260 vs £530).
    £260 vs £530
  • 2.04x cheaper
    Venus Optics Laowa 4mm F 2 8 Fisheye MFT is cheaper than the average camera lens (£260 vs £530).
    £260 vs £530
  • 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 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.
  • 375 g lighter
    Weight
    135 g
    ★ Better than 94% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (135 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    135 g vs 510 g
  • 66.75 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    25.5 mm
    ★ Better than 97% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (25.5 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    25.5 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 31.8 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    45.2 mm
    ★ Better than 100% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (45.2 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    45.2 mm vs 77 mm
  • Newer release date
    Release date
    2019
    â–² Better than 65% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released more recently than the average camera lens.
    2019 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.
  • 2 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    7
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    Market range: <7 – >9
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    7 vs 9
  • 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.
  • 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.
    7 straight blades.
  • 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
  • No lens hood
    Lens hood included
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 89% of models
    This camera lens does not include a lens hood, the average camera lens does. 88.7% of camera lenses include a lens hood.
  • 2 fewer low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    0 vs 2
  • 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.
  • 9.4% lower user score
    User score
    7.6/ 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
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Venus Optics Laowa 4mm F 2 8 Fisheye MFT
    the average camera lens
    Venus Optics Laowa 4mm F 2 8 Fisheye MFT has a lower user score than the average camera lens (7.64 vs 8.360).
    7.64 vs 8.36
  • 25.2% less popular
    Venus Optics Laowa 4mm F 2 8 Fisheye MFT is less popular than the average camera lens (5.82 vs 7.3).
    5.82 vs 7.29
  • 2 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    7
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    Market range: <7 – >9
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    7 vs 9
  • 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.
    7 straight blades.
  • 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
  • 2 fewer low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    0 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.
  • 0.5 m longer minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.8 m
    â–¼ Worse than 79% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens has a higher minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.8 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.8 m vs 0.3 m
  • 0.08 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.111 x
    â–¼ Worse than 87% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.111 x vs 0.192 x
  • 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 lens hood
    Lens hood included
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 89% of models
    This camera lens does not include a lens hood, the average camera lens does. 88.7% of camera lenses include a lens hood.
  • 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 88 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 4mm F 2 8 Fisheye MFT

  • Huge 210-degree field of view creates distinctive circular images
  • Extremely compact and light at about 135g
  • Sharp center and solid metal construction

What we don't like about Venus Optics Laowa 4mm F 2 8 Fisheye MFT

  • Hands, feet, or the camera grip easily enter the frame
  • Chromatic aberration appears near the extreme edges
  • Bulging front element prevents standard filter use

Verdict

The Venus Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye for Micro Four Thirds (MFT) is an ultra-compact, manual focus circular fisheye lens featuring a unique 210° field of view and an 8mm equivalent focal length. Constructed with 7 elements in 6 groups and a 7-blade aperture, this 135g metal lens offers a bright f/2.8 maximum aperture and a close minimum focusing distance of 8cm, making it ideal for 360° panoramas, VR imaging, and creative action photography. Its primary strengths include its pocketable size, exceptional center sharpness, and robust all-metal build quality. However, its extreme angle of view often causes the photographer's fingers or camera grip to appear in the frame, and it lacks electronic communication for EXIF data and cannot accommodate standard filters due to its bulbous front element.

Compare Venus Optics Laowa 4mm F 2 8 Fisheye MFT with other products in the Camera lenses category

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Graphic comparison of Venus Optics Laowa 4mm F 2 8 Fisheye MFT and other products in the Camera lenses category

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