AstrHori 9 mm f/2.8 § 03 Head to head
AstrHori 9 mm f/2.8 vs Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D
AstrHori 9mm f/2.8 has a newer design. Laowa 9mm f/2.8 is 92 g lighter.
The AstrHori 9 mm f/2.8 is a 9mm f/2.8 prime, and the Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D is a 9mm f/2.8 prime. On paper the Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 1, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
AstrHori 9 mm f/2.8 
Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D 01
Key differences
Why is the AstrHori 9 mm f/2.8 better than the Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D?
- Newer design (2025 vs 2018)
Why is the Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D better than the AstrHori 9 mm f/2.8?
- 92 g lighter (215 g vs 307 g)
- 9 mm shorter (53 mm vs 62 mm long)
- Focuses 8 cm closer (0.12 m vs 0.2 m)
- Has a physical aperture ring
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D has the edge: it is 92 g lighter to carry.
- architecture For architecture, the Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D has the edge: it is 92 g lighter to carry.
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Specification
| Specification | AstrHori 9 mm f/2.8 | Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 9mm | 9mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Ultra-wide-angle prime lens |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weight | 307 g | 215 g (7.6 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 66 x 62 mm | 60 mm (diameter) x 53 mm (length) |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.20 m | 12 cm (4.72 inches) ◆ |
| Maximum magnification | — | 0.13x |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | — | No |
| Aperture ring | No | Yes (manual) |
| Aperture blades | 7 | 7 |
| Optical construction | 11 elements / 8 groups | 15 elements in 10 groups (including 2 aspherical elements and 3 extra-low dispersion elements) |
| Filter size | — | 49 mm |
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds, Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm X | Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, Sony E, Micro Four Thirds, DJI DL |
| Released | 2025 | 2018 |
| Price | $149 list price | — |
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Size
- A · AstrHori
- B · Venus
- 62 × 66 mm
- 53 × 60 mm
The AstrHori 9 mm f/2.8 is 9 mm longer and 92 g heavier than the Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D.
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Sample frames
Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the AstrHori 9 mm f/2.8 or the Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D?
- The Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D weighs 215 g, 92 g less than the AstrHori 9 mm f/2.8 (307 g).
- Which focuses closer, the AstrHori 9 mm f/2.8 or the Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D?
- The Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D focuses down to 0.12 m, against 0.2 m for the AstrHori 9 mm f/2.8.
- Do the AstrHori 9 mm f/2.8 and the Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the AstrHori 9 mm f/2.8 or the Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D has the edge: it is 92 g lighter to carry.
- Is the AstrHori 9 mm f/2.8 or the Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D has the edge: it is 92 g lighter to carry.
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