AstrHori 12 mm f/2.8 Fisheye § 03 Head to head
AstrHori 12 mm f/2.8 Fisheye vs Venus Optics LAOWA 12 mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF
AstrHori 12mm f/2.8 is $443 cheaper. Laowa 12mm f/2.8 is 368 g lighter.
Both lenses are made for the Sony E mount: the AstrHori 12 mm f/2.8 Fisheye is a 12mm f/2.8 prime, and the Venus Optics LAOWA 12 mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF is a 12mm f/2.8 prime. On paper the Venus Optics LAOWA 12 mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 1, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
AstrHori 12 mm f/2.8 Fisheye 
Venus Optics LAOWA 12 mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF 01
Key differences
Why is the AstrHori 12 mm f/2.8 Fisheye better than the Venus Optics LAOWA 12 mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF?
- $443 cheaper ($256 list price vs $699 launch price)
Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA 12 mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF better than the AstrHori 12 mm f/2.8 Fisheye?
- 368 g lighter (390 g vs 758 g)
- 23 mm shorter (77.2 mm vs 100 mm long)
- Focuses 6 cm closer (0.14 m vs 0.2 m)
- Newer design (2025 vs 2022)
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA 12 mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF has the edge: it is 368 g lighter to carry.
- architecture For architecture, the Venus Optics LAOWA 12 mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF has the edge: it is 368 g lighter to carry.
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Specification
| Specification | AstrHori 12 mm f/2.8 Fisheye | Venus Optics LAOWA 12 mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 12mm | 12mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 758 g | 390 g (13.76 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 100 x 90 mm | 80.6 x 77.2 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.2 m | 0.14 m (5.51 inches) ◆ |
| Maximum magnification | — | 0.21x |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Aperture ring | No | — |
| Aperture blades | 5 | 5 |
| Optical construction | 11 elements / 8 groups | 16 elements in 9 groups |
| Filter size | — | 72 mm |
| Lens mount | Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm G, L-Mount | Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, L-Mount |
| Released | 2022 | 2025 |
| Price | $256 list price ◆ | $699 launch price |
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Size
- A · AstrHori
- B · Venus
- 100 × 90 mm
- 77.2 × 80.6 mm
The AstrHori 12 mm f/2.8 Fisheye is 23 mm longer and 368 g heavier than the Venus Optics LAOWA 12 mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF.
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Sample frames
Venus Optics LAOWA 12 mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the AstrHori 12 mm f/2.8 Fisheye or the Venus Optics LAOWA 12 mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA 12 mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF weighs 390 g, 368 g less than the AstrHori 12 mm f/2.8 Fisheye (758 g).
- Which focuses closer, the AstrHori 12 mm f/2.8 Fisheye or the Venus Optics LAOWA 12 mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA 12 mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF focuses down to 0.14 m, against 0.2 m for the AstrHori 12 mm f/2.8 Fisheye.
- Do the AstrHori 12 mm f/2.8 Fisheye and the Venus Optics LAOWA 12 mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the AstrHori 12 mm f/2.8 Fisheye or the Venus Optics LAOWA 12 mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA 12 mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF has the edge: it is 368 g lighter to carry.
- Is the AstrHori 12 mm f/2.8 Fisheye or the Venus Optics LAOWA 12 mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Venus Optics LAOWA 12 mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF has the edge: it is 368 g lighter to carry.
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