Kowa Prominar 8.5 mm f/2.8 § 03 Head to head
Kowa Prominar 8.5 mm f/2.8 vs Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D
Kowa 8.5mm f/2.8 has a wider field of view. Laowa 9mm f/2.8 has a longer reach.
The Kowa Prominar 8.5 mm f/2.8 is an 8.5mm 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, 6 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Kowa Prominar 8.5 mm f/2.8 
Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D 01
Key differences
Why is the Kowa Prominar 8.5 mm f/2.8 better than the Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D?
- Wider field of view (8.5mm vs 9mm)
- More aperture blades (9 vs 7)
Why is the Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D better than the Kowa Prominar 8.5 mm f/2.8?
- Longer reach (9mm vs 8.5mm)
- 260 g lighter (215 g vs 475 g)
- 19 mm shorter (53 mm vs 71.5 mm long)
- Focuses 8 cm closer (0.12 m vs 0.2 m)
- Smaller filter thread (49 mm vs 86 mm)
- Covers a larger sensor format (APS-C vs Micro Four Thirds)
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Kowa Prominar 8.5 mm f/2.8 has the edge: it goes wider, to 8.5mm against 9mm.
- architecture For architecture, the Kowa Prominar 8.5 mm f/2.8 has the edge: it goes wider, to 8.5mm against 9mm.
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Specification
| Specification | Kowa Prominar 8.5 mm f/2.8 | Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 8.5mm | 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 | Micro Four Thirds | APS-C |
| Weight | 475 g | 215 g (7.6 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 86.8 x 71.5 mm | 60 mm (diameter) x 53 mm (length) |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.2 m | 12 cm (4.72 inches) ◆ |
| Maximum magnification | — | 0.13x |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | — | No |
| Aperture ring | — | Yes (manual) |
| Aperture blades | 9 ◆ | 7 |
| Optical construction | 17 elements / 14 groups | 15 elements in 10 groups (including 2 aspherical elements and 3 extra-low dispersion elements) |
| Filter size | 86 mm | 49 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, Sony E, Micro Four Thirds, DJI DL |
| Released | — | 2018 |
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Size
- A · Kowa
- B · Venus
- 71.5 × 86.8 mm
- 53 × 60 mm
The Kowa Prominar 8.5 mm f/2.8 is 19 mm longer and 260 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 Kowa Prominar 8.5 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, 260 g less than the Kowa Prominar 8.5 mm f/2.8 (475 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Kowa Prominar 8.5 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 Kowa Prominar 8.5 mm f/2.8.
- Do the Kowa Prominar 8.5 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 Kowa Prominar 8.5 mm f/2.8 or the Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Kowa Prominar 8.5 mm f/2.8 has the edge: it goes wider, to 8.5mm against 9mm.
- Is the Kowa Prominar 8.5 mm f/2.8 or the Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Kowa Prominar 8.5 mm f/2.8 has the edge: it goes wider, to 8.5mm against 9mm.
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