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Venus Optics Laowa 65mm F 2 8 2X Ultra Macro APO Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price:~£450Lens mount:Canon EF-M, Nikon Z, Fujifilm X, Sony EMaximum focal length:65 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):2.8Optical image stabilization:noMaximum angle of view:24.4 °

Venus Optics Laowa 65mm F 2 8 2X Ultra Macro APO 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.

6.4

Overall score

Score
6.4/ 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
Score components

80%

5.9

Technical score

20%

8.3

User score

â–¼Worse than 69% of camera-lenses
5.9

Technical score

Technical score
5.9/ 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
Score components

35%

6.5

Optics & Aperture

24%

6.5

Build & Handling

20%

5.8

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

â–¼Worse than 71% of camera-lenses
8.3

User score

User score
8.3/ 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
Score components

70%

9.0

User ratings

30%

6.6

Number of reviews

Based on 168 buyer reviews from online shops.
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 52% of camera-lenses
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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 65mm F 2 8 2X Ultra Macro APO

Technical score
Technical score
5.9/ 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
Score components:

35%

6.5

Optics & Aperture

24%

6.5

Build & Handling

20%

5.8

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

5.9
User score
User score
8.3/ 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
Score components

70%

9.0

User ratings

30%

6.6

Number of reviews

Based on 168 buyer reviews from online shops.
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.
8.3
Popularity
Popularity
6.6/ 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
Popularity:
Venus Optics Laowa 65mm F 2 8 2X Ultra Macro APO has a popularity score of 6.6 points, which is lower than 58.5% of camera lenses.
6.6
Value for money
Value for money
6.9/ 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
Score components:

60%

6.4

Overall score

40%

8.1

Price

6.9
Lens type
macro
Lens mount
Canon EF-M, Nikon Z, Fujifilm X, Sony E
Sensor format coverage
APS-C
Filter thread size
52 mm
Teleconverter compatibility
no
Teleconverter compatibility
no
This camera lens does not support teleconverters. 15.3% of camera lenses support teleconverters.
Show more
Minimum focal length
65 mm
Maximum focal length
65 mm
Optical zoom
N/A
Maximum angle of view
24.4 °
Minimum angle of view
24.4 °
Show more
Focus motor
N/A
Minimum focus distance
?
Maximum reproduction ratio
2xx
Maximum reproduction ratio
2x
This camera lens reaches a reproduction ratio of 2x, which is higher than 99.5% of camera lenses and equal to 0.3% of camera lenses.
Full-time manual focus
no
Full-time manual focus
no
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
This camera lens supports internal focusing. 83.6% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Show more
Optical image stabilization
no
Optical image stabilization
no
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
335 g
Weight
335 g
This camera lens weighs 335 g, which is lighter than 70.5% of camera lenses and equal to the weight of 0.4% of camera lenses.
Lens length
100 mm
Lens length
100 mm
This camera lens is 100 mm long, which is longer than 59.8% of camera lenses and equal to the length of 0.3% of camera lenses.
Lens diameter
57 mm
Lens diameter
57 mm
This camera lens has a diameter of 57 mm, which is slimmer than 97% of camera lenses and equal to that of 0.3% of camera lenses.
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
This camera lens does not support weather sealing. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
Metal mount
yes
Metal mount
yes
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 65mm F 2 8 2X Ultra Macro APO vs the average camera lens

246810TotalMount & FormatOptics & ApertureFocus & ControlsStabilizationBuild & HandlingLab Scores
  • Has aperture ring
    Aperture ring
    yes
    This camera lens has an aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 31.3% of camera lenses include an aperture ring.
    Clicked aperture ring.
  • Has focus distance scale
    Focus distance scale
    yes
    This camera lens has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
  • 20 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    57 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (57 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    57 mm vs 77 mm
  • 1.81 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    2 x
    This camera lens has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (2 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    2 x vs 0.192 x
  • 175 g lighter
    Weight
    335 g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (335 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    335 g vs 510 g
  • 1 more low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    3
    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
    This camera lens was released more recently than the average camera lens.
    January 2020
    2020 vs 2016
  • 1 more low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    3
    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
    This camera lens has an aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 31.3% of camera lenses include an aperture ring.
    Clicked aperture ring.
  • Has focus distance scale
    Focus distance scale
    yes
    This camera lens has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
  • 1.81 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    2 x
    This camera lens has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (2 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    2 x vs 0.192 x
  • 20 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    57 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (57 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    57 mm vs 77 mm
  • 175 g lighter
    Weight
    335 g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (335 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    335 g vs 510 g
  • Newer release date
    Release date
    2020
    This camera lens was released more recently than the average camera lens.
    January 2020
    2020 vs 2016
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    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
    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
    This camera lens does not use rounded aperture blades, the average camera lens does. 87.8% of camera lenses use rounded aperture blades.
  • 2 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    0
    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
  • 7.75 mm longer lens
    Lens length
    100 mm
    This camera lens is longer than the average camera lens (100 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    100 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • No rounded blades
    Rounded aperture blades
    no
    This camera lens does not use rounded aperture blades, the average camera lens does. 87.8% of camera lenses use rounded aperture blades.
  • 2 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    0
    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 full-time manual focus
    Full-time manual focus
    no
    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.
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • 7.75 mm longer lens
    Lens length
    100 mm
    This camera lens is longer than the average camera lens (100 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    100 mm vs 92.25 mm

Video reviews

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

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

J
jonasraskphotography.com
24/01/2020
Summary of the review
O
opticallimits.com
16/01/2020
Summary of the review
D
dustinabbott.net
24/02/2020
Summary of the review
D
digitalcameraworld.com
11/03/2020
Summary of the review
A
amateurphotographer.com
19/06/2020
Summary of the review
D
digital-photography-school.com
24/02/2020
Summary of the review
F
fujilove.com
05/05/2020
Summary of the review
F
fujixpassion.com
14/03/2023
Summary of the review
K
kenrockwell.com
03/02/2020
Summary of the review
F
focus-review.com
26/01/2021
Summary of the review
P
phototrend.fr
28/02/2020
Summary of the review
L
les-guides-fujifilm.com
03/12/2020
Summary of the review
D
digitalcamaralens.com
01/05/2020
Summary of the review
N
natuurfotografie.nl
17/07/2020
Summary of the review
F
focus-review.com
21/12/2020
Summary of the review

Third-party reviews

Based on 168 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this

What we like about Venus Optics Laowa 65mm F 2 8 2X Ultra Macro APO

  • Exceptional 2:1 magnification allows for capturing subjects twice life-size.
  • Apochromatic (APO) design effectively eliminates chromatic aberrations and color fringing.
  • Outstanding sharpness and resolution across the frame, even at wider apertures.
  • High-quality all-metal construction provides a premium, durable feel.
  • Compact and lightweight design makes it highly portable for APS-C systems.
  • Smooth and precise manual focus ring with a long focus throw for accurate adjustments.
  • Excellent value for performance at an affordable price point.

What we don't like about Venus Optics Laowa 65mm F 2 8 2X Ultra Macro APO

  • Fully manual lens with no electronic contacts; lacks EXIF data and automatic aperture control.
  • Lack of autofocus may be challenging for non-macro uses like portraiture.
  • No weather sealing, requiring caution in dusty or wet environments.
  • No built-in image stabilization, often making a tripod necessary for high-magnification shots.
  • Narrow depth of field at 2:1 magnification can make handheld focus extremely difficult.
  • Soft aperture clicks and uneven spacing on the aperture ring reported by some users.

Verdict

The Venus Optics Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO is a specialized prime lens designed for APS-C mirrorless cameras, offering a unique 2:1 magnification ratio that captures subjects at twice their life-size. This manual-focus lens features an apochromatic (APO) optical design with 14 elements in 10 groups, including three extra-low dispersion elements to virtually eliminate chromatic aberration and color fringing. Key pros include its exceptional center-to-corner sharpness, compact and lightweight build (335g), internal focusing that maintains a constant length, and a smooth 240-270 degree focus throw for precise adjustments at a minimum focusing distance of 17cm. However, main cons include a total lack of electronic communication with the camera (no EXIF data or body-controlled aperture), the absence of weather sealing, and no image stabilization, which can make handheld high-magnification shots challenging.

Compare Venus Optics Laowa 65mm F 2 8 2X Ultra Macro APO with other products in the Camera lenses category

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