Canon RF-S 3.9 mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye § 03 Head to head
Canon RF-S 3.9 mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye vs Venus Optics LAOWA 4 mm f/2.8 Fisheye
Canon 3.9mm f/3.5 has a wider field of view. Laowa 4mm f/2.8 is 0.6 stops brighter maximum aperture.
The Canon RF-S 3.9 mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye is a 3.9mm f/3.5 prime, and the Venus Optics LAOWA 4 mm f/2.8 Fisheye is a 4mm f/2.8 prime. On paper the Venus Optics LAOWA 4 mm f/2.8 Fisheye comes out ahead, 7 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Canon RF-S 3.9 mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye 
Venus Optics LAOWA 4 mm f/2.8 Fisheye 01
Key differences
Why is the Canon RF-S 3.9 mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye better than the Venus Optics LAOWA 4 mm f/2.8 Fisheye?
- Wider field of view (3.9mm vs 4mm)
- Newer design (2024 vs 2018)
Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA 4 mm f/2.8 Fisheye better than the Canon RF-S 3.9 mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye?
- 0.6 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/2.8 vs f/3.5)
- Longer reach (4mm vs 3.9mm)
- 155 g lighter (135 g vs 290 g)
- 67 mm shorter (45.2 mm vs 112.1 mm long)
- Focuses 12 cm closer (0.08 m vs 0.2 m)
- Has a physical aperture ring
- $900 cheaper ($199 launch price vs $1,099 launch price)
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Canon RF-S 3.9 mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye has the edge: it goes wider, to 3.9mm against 4mm.
- architecture For architecture, the Canon RF-S 3.9 mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye has the edge: it goes wider, to 3.9mm against 4mm.
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Specification
| Specification | Canon RF-S 3.9 mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye | Venus Optics LAOWA 4 mm f/2.8 Fisheye |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 3.9mm | 4mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.5 | f/2.8 ◆ |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weight | 290 g | 135 g (4.76 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 83.7 x 112.1 mm | 25.5 x 45.2 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.20 m | 0.08 m (3.15 inches) ◆ |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | — | No |
| Aperture ring | No | Yes |
| Aperture blades | 7 | 7 |
| Optical construction | 11 elements / 8 groups | 7 elements / 6 groups |
| Filter size | 30.5 mm | — |
| Lens mount | Canon RF | Micro Four Thirds, Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm X, Canon EF-M, L-Mount |
| Released | 2024 | 2018 |
| Price | $1,099 launch price | $199 launch price ◆ |
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Size
- A · Canon
- B · Venus
- 112.1 × 83.7 mm
- 45.2 × 25.5 mm
The Canon RF-S 3.9 mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye is 67 mm longer and 155 g heavier than the Venus Optics LAOWA 4 mm f/2.8 Fisheye.
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Sample frames
Venus Optics LAOWA 4 mm f/2.8 Fisheye
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Canon RF-S 3.9 mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye or the Venus Optics LAOWA 4 mm f/2.8 Fisheye?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA 4 mm f/2.8 Fisheye opens to f/2.8, against f/3.5 on the Canon RF-S 3.9 mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye, 0.6 stops brighter.
- Which is lighter, the Canon RF-S 3.9 mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye or the Venus Optics LAOWA 4 mm f/2.8 Fisheye?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA 4 mm f/2.8 Fisheye weighs 135 g, 155 g less than the Canon RF-S 3.9 mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye (290 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Canon RF-S 3.9 mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye or the Venus Optics LAOWA 4 mm f/2.8 Fisheye?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA 4 mm f/2.8 Fisheye focuses down to 0.08 m, against 0.2 m for the Canon RF-S 3.9 mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye.
- Do the Canon RF-S 3.9 mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye and the Venus Optics LAOWA 4 mm f/2.8 Fisheye have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the Canon RF-S 3.9 mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye or the Venus Optics LAOWA 4 mm f/2.8 Fisheye better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Canon RF-S 3.9 mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye has the edge: it goes wider, to 3.9mm against 4mm.
- Is the Canon RF-S 3.9 mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye or the Venus Optics LAOWA 4 mm f/2.8 Fisheye better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Canon RF-S 3.9 mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye has the edge: it goes wider, to 3.9mm against 4mm.
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