Mitakon APO 200 mm f/4 MACRO 1x § 03 Head to head
Mitakon APO 200 mm f/4 MACRO 1x vs Venus Optics LAOWA 180 mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO
Mitakon 200mm f/4 is 0.3 stops brighter maximum aperture. Laowa 180mm f/4.5 has a wider field of view.
The Mitakon APO 200 mm f/4 MACRO 1x is a 200mm f/4 prime, and the Venus Optics LAOWA 180 mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO is an 180mm f/4.5 prime. On paper the Venus Optics LAOWA 180 mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO comes out ahead, 6 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Mitakon APO 200 mm f/4 MACRO 1x 
Venus Optics LAOWA 180 mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO 01
Key differences
Why is the Mitakon APO 200 mm f/4 MACRO 1x better than the Venus Optics LAOWA 180 mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO?
- 0.3 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/4 vs f/4.5)
- Longer reach (200mm vs 180mm)
Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA 180 mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO better than the Mitakon APO 200 mm f/4 MACRO 1x?
- Wider field of view (180mm vs 200mm)
- 778 g lighter (521.6 g vs 1300 g)
- 52 mm shorter (134.4 mm vs 186 mm long)
- Focuses 18 cm closer (0.3 m vs 0.48 m)
- Smaller filter thread (62 mm vs 67 mm)
- Newer design (2025 vs 2023)
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Which should you buy?
- macro For macro photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA 180 mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.3 m.
- wildlife For wildlife photography, the Mitakon APO 200 mm f/4 MACRO 1x has the edge: it reaches 200mm against 180mm.
- sports For sports photography, the Mitakon APO 200 mm f/4 MACRO 1x has the edge: it reaches 200mm against 180mm.
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Specification
| Specification | Mitakon APO 200 mm f/4 MACRO 1x | Venus Optics LAOWA 180 mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 200mm | 180mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 ◆ | f/4.5 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 | f/32 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 1300 g (45.86 oz) | 521.6 g ◆ |
| Dimensions | 75 x 186 mm | 134.4 x 67.6 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.48 m (18.9 inches) | 0.3 m ◆ |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Aperture ring | No | — |
| Aperture blades | 9 | 9 |
| Optical construction | 11 elements / 7 groups | 12 elements / 9 groups |
| Filter size | 67 mm | 62 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm X, Fujifilm G, L-Mount | Canon EF, Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, L-Mount |
| Released | 2023 | 2025 |
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Size
- A · Mitakon
- B · Venus
- 186 × 75 mm
- 134.4 × 67.6 mm
The Mitakon APO 200 mm f/4 MACRO 1x is 52 mm longer and 778 g heavier than the Venus Optics LAOWA 180 mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO.
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Mitakon APO 200 mm f/4 MACRO 1x or the Venus Optics LAOWA 180 mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO?
- The Mitakon APO 200 mm f/4 MACRO 1x opens to f/4, against f/4.5 on the Venus Optics LAOWA 180 mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO, 0.3 stops brighter.
- Which is lighter, the Mitakon APO 200 mm f/4 MACRO 1x or the Venus Optics LAOWA 180 mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA 180 mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO weighs 521.6 g, 778 g less than the Mitakon APO 200 mm f/4 MACRO 1x (1300 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Mitakon APO 200 mm f/4 MACRO 1x or the Venus Optics LAOWA 180 mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA 180 mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO focuses down to 0.3 m, against 0.48 m for the Mitakon APO 200 mm f/4 MACRO 1x.
- Do the Mitakon APO 200 mm f/4 MACRO 1x and the Venus Optics LAOWA 180 mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the Mitakon APO 200 mm f/4 MACRO 1x or the Venus Optics LAOWA 180 mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO better for macro photography?
- For macro photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA 180 mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.3 m.
- Is the Mitakon APO 200 mm f/4 MACRO 1x or the Venus Optics LAOWA 180 mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO better for wildlife photography?
- For wildlife photography, the Mitakon APO 200 mm f/4 MACRO 1x has the edge: it reaches 200mm against 180mm.
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