Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro § 03 Head to head
Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro vs Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro
Canon 100mm f/2.8 is 485 g lighter. Laowa 100mm f/2.8 has a more aperture blades.
The Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro is a 100mm f/2.8 prime, and the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro is a 100mm f/2.8 prime. On paper the Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro 
Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro 01
Key differences
Why is the Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro better than the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro?
- 485 g lighter (730 g vs 1215 g)
- 14 mm shorter (148 mm vs 162 mm long)
- Focuses 6 cm closer (0.26 m vs 0.32 m)
- Has optical image stabilization
- Smaller filter thread (67 mm vs 77 mm)
Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro better than the Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro?
- More aperture blades (15 vs 9)
- $150 cheaper ($1,249 launch price vs $1,399 launch price)
- Newer design (2024 vs 2021)
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Which should you buy?
- macro For macro photography, the Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.26 m.
- portrait For portrait photography, the Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro has the edge: it is 485 g lighter to carry.
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Specification
| Specification | Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro | Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 100mm | 100mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 730 g ◆ | 1215 g |
| Dimensions | 81.5 x 148 mm | 162 x 85 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.26 m ◆ | 0.32 m |
| Image stabilization | Yes ◆ | No |
| Weather sealing | Yes | — |
| Aperture ring | No | — |
| Aperture blades | 9 | 15 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 17 elements / 13 groups | 13 elements / 10 groups |
| Filter size | 67 mm ◆ | 77 mm |
| Lens mount | Canon RF | Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm G, L-Mount |
| Released | 2021 | 2024 |
| Price | $1,399 launch price | $1,249 launch price ◆ |
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Size
- A · Canon
- B · Venus
- 148 × 81.5 mm
- 162 × 85 mm
The Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro is 14 mm longer and 485 g heavier than the Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro.
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Sample frames
Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro
Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro or the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro?
- The Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro weighs 730 g, 485 g less than the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro (1215 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro or the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro?
- The Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro focuses down to 0.26 m, against 0.32 m for the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro.
- Do the Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro and the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro have image stabilization?
- Only the Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro has optical image stabilization.
- Is the Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro or the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro better for macro photography?
- For macro photography, the Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.26 m.
- Is the Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro or the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro has the edge: it is 485 g lighter to carry.
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Other comparisons
- Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS vs Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro
- Panasonic Lumix S 100 mm f/2.8 Macro vs Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro
- Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S vs Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro
- Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8 vs Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro