Which is lighter, the Meike 50 mm f/0.95 or the Venus Optics LAOWA Argus 45 mm f/0.95 FF?

The Meike 50 mm f/0.95 weighs 420 g, 415 g less than the Venus Optics LAOWA Argus 45 mm f/0.95 FF (835 g).

Which focuses closer, the Meike 50 mm f/0.95 or the Venus Optics LAOWA Argus 45 mm f/0.95 FF?

The Meike 50 mm f/0.95 focuses down to 0.45 m, against 0.5 m for the Venus Optics LAOWA Argus 45 mm f/0.95 FF.

Do the Meike 50 mm f/0.95 and the Venus Optics LAOWA Argus 45 mm f/0.95 FF have image stabilization?

No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.

Is the Meike 50 mm f/0.95 or the Venus Optics LAOWA Argus 45 mm f/0.95 FF better for portrait photography?

For portrait photography, the Meike 50 mm f/0.95 has the edge: it is 415 g lighter to carry.

§ 03 Head to head

Meike 50 mm f/0.95 vs Venus Optics LAOWA Argus 45 mm f/0.95 FF

Name: Meike 50 mm f/0.95
Brand: Meike
Price: 249 USD

Meike 50mm f/0.95 has a longer reach. Laowa 45mm f/0.95 has a wider field of view.

The Meike 50 mm f/0.95 is a 50mm f/0.95 prime, and the Venus Optics LAOWA Argus 45 mm f/0.95 FF is a 45mm f/0.95 prime. On paper the Meike 50 mm f/0.95 comes out ahead, 6 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

Add a third lens →

Meike 50 mm f/0.95

f/0.95 · 50mm · 420 g

Venus Optics LAOWA Argus 45 mm f/0.95 FF

f/0.95 · 45mm · 835 g

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Meike 50 mm f/0.95 better than the Venus Optics LAOWA Argus 45 mm f/0.95 FF?

Longer reach (50mm vs 45mm)
415 g lighter (420 g vs 835 g)
Focuses 5 cm closer (0.45 m vs 0.5 m)
Smaller filter thread (62 mm vs 72 mm)
$550 cheaper ($249 list price vs $799 launch price)
Newer design (2022 vs 2021)

Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA Argus 45 mm f/0.95 FF better than the Meike 50 mm f/0.95?

Wider field of view (45mm vs 50mm)
Has a physical aperture ring
More aperture blades (15 vs 13)

Which should you buy?

By use

portrait For portrait photography, the Meike 50 mm f/0.95 has the edge: it is 415 g lighter to carry.

Specification

18 rows · better value flagged ◆

Specification	Meike 50 mm f/0.95	Venus Optics LAOWA Argus 45 mm f/0.95 FF
Focal length	50mm	45mm
Maximum aperture	f/0.95	f/0.95
Minimum aperture	f/16	f/16
Lens type	Prime lens	Prime lens
Format	Full frame	Full frame
Weight	420 g ◆	835 g
Dimensions	—	110 x 76.8 mm
Minimum focusing distance	0.45 m ◆	0.5 m
Maximum magnification	—	0.12x
Image stabilization	No	No
Weather sealing	—	No
Aperture ring	No	Yes (de-clickable)
Aperture blades	13	15 ◆
Optical construction	7 elements / 5 groups	13 elements / 9 groups
Filter size	62 mm ◆	72 mm
Lens mount	Micro Four Thirds, Sony E, Nikon Z, Fujifilm X, Canon EF-M	Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF
Released	2022	2021
Price	$249 list price ◆	$799 launch price

Video reviews

4 on YouTube

Video thumbnail for Meike 50 mm f/0.95 review 1

Video thumbnail for Meike 50 mm f/0.95 review 2

Video thumbnail for Venus Optics LAOWA Argus 45 mm f/0.95 FF review 1

Video thumbnail for Venus Optics LAOWA Argus 45 mm f/0.95 FF review 2

Questions

Which is lighter, the Meike 50 mm f/0.95 or the Venus Optics LAOWA Argus 45 mm f/0.95 FF?: The Meike 50 mm f/0.95 weighs 420 g, 415 g less than the Venus Optics LAOWA Argus 45 mm f/0.95 FF (835 g).
Which focuses closer, the Meike 50 mm f/0.95 or the Venus Optics LAOWA Argus 45 mm f/0.95 FF?: The Meike 50 mm f/0.95 focuses down to 0.45 m, against 0.5 m for the Venus Optics LAOWA Argus 45 mm f/0.95 FF.
Do the Meike 50 mm f/0.95 and the Venus Optics LAOWA Argus 45 mm f/0.95 FF have image stabilization?: No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
Is the Meike 50 mm f/0.95 or the Venus Optics LAOWA Argus 45 mm f/0.95 FF better for portrait photography?: For portrait photography, the Meike 50 mm f/0.95 has the edge: it is 415 g lighter to carry.