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ALTERNATIVES
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REVIEWS
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Venus Optics Laowa 11mm F 4 5 FF RL Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price:~£500Lens mount:Canon RF, Nikon Z, Sony E, L-Mount, Leica MMaximum focal length:11 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):4.5Optical image stabilization:noMaximum angle of view:126 °

Venus Optics Laowa 11mm F 4 5 FF RL 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.

5.2

Overall score

Score
5.2/ 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 96% of models
Score components

80%

4.9

Technical score

20%

6.3

User score

â–¼Worse than 96% of camera-lenses
4.9

Technical score

Technical score
4.9/ 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 93% of models
Score components

35%

3.6

Optics & Aperture

24%

6.8

Build & Handling

20%

5.4

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

â–¼Worse than 93% of camera-lenses
6.3

User score

User score
6.3/ 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 98% of models
Score components

70%

7.8

User ratings

30%

2.7

Number of reviews

Based on 6 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 98% of camera-lenses
  • venus-optics-laowa-11mm-f-4-5-ff-rl
venus-optics-laowa-11mm-f-4-5-ff-rl

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 11mm F 4 5 FF RL

Technical score
Technical score
4.9/ 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 93% of models
Score components:

35%

3.6

Optics & Aperture

24%

6.8

Build & Handling

20%

5.4

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

4.9
User score
User score
6.3/ 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 98% of models
Score components

70%

7.8

User ratings

30%

2.7

Number of reviews

Based on 6 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.
6.3
Popularity
Popularity
2.7/ 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 88% of models
Popularity:
Venus Optics Laowa 11mm F 4 5 FF RL has a popularity score of 2.7 points, which is lower than 87.5% of camera lenses.
2.7
Value for money
Value for money
6.0/ 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 81% of models
Score components:

60%

5.2

Overall score

40%

7.9

Price

6.0
Lens type
prime
Lens mount
Canon RF, Nikon Z, Sony E, L-Mount, Leica M
Sensor format coverage
Full-frame
Filter thread size
62 mm
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
11 mm
Maximum focal length
11 mm
Optical zoom
N/A
Maximum angle of view
126 °
Minimum angle of view
126 °
Show more
Focus motor
N/A
Minimum focus distance
0.19 m
Minimum focus distance
0.19 m
â–² Better than 87% of models
Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
This camera lens focuses as close as 0.19 m, which is closer than 86.5% of camera lenses and equal to 2.3% of camera lenses.
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.1xx
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.1x
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
This camera lens reaches a reproduction ratio of 0.1x, which is lower than 90.5% of camera lenses and equal to 4% 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
254 g
Weight
254 g
â–² Better than 80% of models
Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
This camera lens weighs 254 g, which is lighter than 79.8% of camera lenses and equal to the weight of 0.1% of camera lenses.
Lens length
58 mm
Lens length
58 mm
â–² Better than 83% of models
Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
This camera lens is 58 mm long, which is shorter than 83.1% of camera lenses and equal to the length of 0.2% of camera lenses.
Lens diameter
63.5 mm
Lens diameter
63.5 mm
â–² Better than 86% of models
Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
This camera lens has a diameter of 63.5 mm, which is slimmer than 85.6% of camera lenses and equal to that of 1.2% 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 11mm F 4 5 FF RL 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 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.
  • 256 g lighter
    Weight
    254 g
    â–² Better than 80% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (254 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    254 g vs 510 g
  • 34.25 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    58 mm
    â–² Better than 83% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (58 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    58 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 13.5 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    63.5 mm
    â–² Better than 86% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (63.5 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    63.5 mm vs 77 mm
  • 0.11 m shorter minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.19 m
    â–² Better than 87% 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.
    0.19 m vs 0.3 m
  • 1 more low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    3
    â–² Better than 64% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (3 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    3 vs 2
  • Newer release date
    Release date
    2020
    â–² Better than 72% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released more recently than the average camera lens.
    2020 vs 2016
  • 1 more low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    3
    â–² Better than 64% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (3 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    3 vs 2
  • 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.
  • 0.11 m shorter minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.19 m
    â–² Better than 87% 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.
    0.19 m vs 0.3 m
  • 256 g lighter
    Weight
    254 g
    â–² Better than 80% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (254 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    254 g vs 510 g
  • 34.25 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    58 mm
    â–² Better than 83% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (58 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    58 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 13.5 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    63.5 mm
    â–² Better than 86% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (63.5 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    63.5 mm vs 77 mm
  • Newer release date
    Release date
    2020
    â–² Better than 72% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released more recently than the average camera lens.
    2020 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.
  • 4 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    5
    â–¼ Worse than 98% of models
    Market range: <7 – >9
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (5 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    5 vs 9
  • 1.7 higher f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    4.5
    â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
    Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
    This camera lens has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/4.5 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    4.5 vs 2.8
  • 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.
  • 0.09 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.1 x
    â–¼ Worse than 91% 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.
    0.1 x vs 0.192 x
  • 33.3% lower user score
    User score
    6.3/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Venus Optics Laowa 11mm F 4 5 FF RL
    the average camera lens
    Venus Optics Laowa 11mm F 4 5 FF RL has a lower user score than the average camera lens (6.27 vs 8.360).
    6.27 vs 8.36
  • 2.7x less popular
    Venus Optics Laowa 11mm F 4 5 FF RL is less popular than the average camera lens (2.7 vs 7.3).
    2.7 vs 7.29
  • 33.3% lower user score
    User score
    6.3/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Venus Optics Laowa 11mm F 4 5 FF RL
    the average camera lens
    Venus Optics Laowa 11mm F 4 5 FF RL has a lower user score than the average camera lens (6.27 vs 8.360).
    6.27 vs 8.36
  • 2.7x less popular
    Venus Optics Laowa 11mm F 4 5 FF RL is less popular than the average camera lens (2.7 vs 7.3).
    2.7 vs 7.29
  • 15.3% worse value for money
    Venus Optics Laowa 11mm F 4 5 FF RL has a worse value-for-money score than the average camera lens (5.97 vs 6.9).
    5.97 vs 6.89
  • 4 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    5
    â–¼ Worse than 98% of models
    Market range: <7 – >9
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (5 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    5 vs 9
  • 1.7 higher f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    4.5
    â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
    Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
    This camera lens has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/4.5 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    4.5 vs 2.8
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 0.09 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.1 x
    â–¼ Worse than 91% 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.
    0.1 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.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

D
digitalcameraworld.com
02/09/2020
Summary of the review
Laowa 11mm f/4.5 FF RL review | Digital Camera World

Third-party reviews

Based on 6 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 11mm F 4 5 FF RL

  • Incredibly compact and lightweight, making it highly portable for travel and street photography
  • Solid metal build quality with smooth, well-dampened manual focusing
  • Includes a 62mm front filter thread, which is rare for an ultra-wide 11mm lens
  • Excellent center sharpness and high contrast in the middle of images
  • Impressive 126-degree ultra-wide rectilinear field of view for landscapes and architecture
  • Produces attractive 10-point sunstars when stopped down
  • Very close minimum focusing distance of 19cm allows for creative macro-style shots

What we don't like about Venus Optics Laowa 11mm F 4 5 FF RL

  • Noticeable drop-off in sharpness toward the corners, especially at wider apertures
  • Heavy vignetting (light fall-off) in the corners that often requires post-production correction
  • Slow maximum aperture of f/4.5 limits low-light performance without increasing ISO
  • Completely manual with no electronic contacts, meaning no EXIF data is recorded by the camera
  • The distance and Depth of Field (DOF) scales can be inaccurately marked or difficult to use
  • Visible barrel distortion is present, though it can generally be fixed in post-processing

Verdict

The Venus Optics Laowa 11mm f/4.5 FF RL is an ultra-wide rectilinear prime designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras, featuring a remarkable 126° angle of view and an optical construction of 14 elements in 10 groups, including two aspherical and three extra-low dispersion elements. Its main characteristics include an exceptionally compact, all-metal build weighing just 254g, a 19cm minimum focusing distance for close-up shots, and a 62mm front filter thread—a rarity for such a wide focal length. Major pros include its extreme portability, suppressed distortion, and the ability to produce clean 10-point sunstars via its 5-blade aperture. However, notable cons include significant corner vignetting, a relatively slow f/4.5 maximum aperture, lack of electronic communication for EXIF data, and a noticeable drop in sharpness toward the extreme edges of the frame.

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