7Artisans 15 mm f/4 § 03 Head to head
7Artisans 15 mm f/4 vs Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro
7Artisans 15mm f/4 has a newer design. Laowa 15mm f/4 is 126 g lighter.
Both lenses are made for the Sony E mount: the 7Artisans 15 mm f/4 is a 15mm f/4 prime, and the Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro is a 15mm f/4 prime. On paper the Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 1, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
7Artisans 15 mm f/4 
Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro 01
Key differences
Why is the 7Artisans 15 mm f/4 better than the Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro?
- Newer design (2022 vs 2016)
Why is the Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro better than the 7Artisans 15 mm f/4?
- 126 g lighter (410 g vs 536 g)
- Focuses 28 cm closer (0.12 m vs 0.4 m)
- Has a physical aperture ring
- More aperture blades (14 vs 10)
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro has the edge: it is 126 g lighter to carry.
- architecture For architecture, the Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro has the edge: it is 126 g lighter to carry.
- macro For macro photography, the Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.12 m.
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Specification
| Specification | 7Artisans 15 mm f/4 | Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 15mm | 15mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 | f/4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/32 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Ultra-wide-angle macro prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full Frame |
| Weight | 536 g | 410 g (14.5 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | — | 83.8 mm (length) x 64.7 mm (diameter) |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.4 m | 0.12 m (4.7 inches) ◆ |
| Maximum magnification | — | 1:1 |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | — | No |
| Aperture ring | No | Yes (manual, clickless) |
| Aperture blades | 10 | 14 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 13 elements / 9 groups | 12 elements in 9 groups (including 3 high-refractive elements and 1 extra-low dispersion element) |
| Filter size | 77 mm | 77 mm |
| Lens mount | Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, L-Mount | Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sony A, Sony E, Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds |
| Released | 2022 | 2016 |
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Sample frames
Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the 7Artisans 15 mm f/4 or the Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro?
- The Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro weighs 410 g, 126 g less than the 7Artisans 15 mm f/4 (536 g).
- Which focuses closer, the 7Artisans 15 mm f/4 or the Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro?
- The Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro focuses down to 0.12 m, against 0.4 m for the 7Artisans 15 mm f/4.
- Do the 7Artisans 15 mm f/4 and the Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the 7Artisans 15 mm f/4 or the Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro has the edge: it is 126 g lighter to carry.
- Is the 7Artisans 15 mm f/4 or the Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro has the edge: it is 126 g lighter to carry.
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