HD Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited § 03 Head to head
HD Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited vs Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro
Pentax 15mm f/4 is 221 g lighter. Laowa 15mm f/4 focuses 6 cm closer.
The HD Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited 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, 6 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
HD Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited 
Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro 01
Key differences
Why is the HD Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited better than the Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro?
- 221 g lighter (189 g vs 410 g)
- 44 mm shorter (39.5 mm vs 83.8 mm long)
- Smaller filter thread (49 mm vs 77 mm)
Why is the Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro better than the HD Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited?
- Focuses 6 cm closer (0.12 m vs 0.18 m)
- Higher maximum magnification (1x vs 0.15x)
- Has a physical aperture ring
- More aperture blades (14 vs 7)
- Covers a larger sensor format (full-frame vs APS-C)
- Newer design (2016 vs 2009)
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the HD Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited has the edge: it is 221 g lighter to carry.
- architecture For architecture, the HD Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited has the edge: it is 221 g lighter to carry.
- macro For macro photography, the Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro has the edge: it reaches 1x magnification against 0.15x.
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Specification
| Specification | HD Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited | 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 | Ultra-wide-angle prime lens | Ultra-wide-angle macro prime lens |
| Format | APS-C | Full Frame |
| Weight | 189 g (6.7 oz) ◆ | 410 g (14.5 oz) |
| Dimensions | 63 mm (diameter) x 39.5 mm (length) | 83.8 mm (length) x 64.7 mm (diameter) |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.18 m (7.1 inches) | 0.12 m (4.7 inches) ◆ |
| Maximum magnification | 0.15x | 1:1 ◆ |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | No | No |
| Aperture ring | No | Yes (manual, clickless) |
| Aperture blades | 7 (rounded) | 14 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 8 elements in 6 groups (including 1 ED element and 1 aspherical element) | 12 elements in 9 groups (including 3 high-refractive elements and 1 extra-low dispersion element) |
| Filter size | 49 mm ◆ | 77 mm |
| Lens mount | Pentax K | Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sony A, Sony E, Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds |
| Released | 2009 | 2016 |
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Size
- A · HD
- B · Venus
- 39.5 × 63 mm
- 83.8 × 64.7 mm
The Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro is 44 mm longer and 221 g heavier than the HD Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited.
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Sample frames
HD Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited
Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the HD Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited or the Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro?
- The HD Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited weighs 189 g, 221 g less than the Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro (410 g).
- Which focuses closer, the HD Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited 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 0.18 m for the HD Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited.
- Do the HD Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited 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 HD Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited or the Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the HD Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited has the edge: it is 221 g lighter to carry.
- Is the HD Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited or the Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro better for architecture?
- For architecture, the HD Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited has the edge: it is 221 g lighter to carry.
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