Olympus OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO § 03 Head to head
OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO vs Venus Optics LAOWA FFII 90 mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X
Olympus 90mm f/3.5 is 166 g lighter. Laowa 90mm f/2.8 is 0.6 stops brighter maximum aperture.
Both lenses are made for the Micro Four Thirds mount: the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO is a 90mm f/3.5 prime, and the Venus Optics LAOWA FFII 90 mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X is a 90mm f/2.8 prime. On paper the Venus Optics LAOWA FFII 90 mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 4, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Olympus OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO 
Venus Optics LAOWA FFII 90 mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X 01
Key differences
Why is the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO better than the Venus Optics LAOWA FFII 90 mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X?
- 166 g lighter (453 g vs 619 g)
- Has optical image stabilization
- Is weather sealed
- Smaller filter thread (62 mm vs 67 mm)
Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA FFII 90 mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X better than the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO?
- 0.6 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/2.8 vs f/3.5)
- 16 mm shorter (120 mm vs 136 mm long)
- Focuses 2 cm closer (0.2 m vs 0.22 m)
- More aperture blades (13 vs 7)
- Covers a larger sensor format (full-frame vs Micro Four Thirds)
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Which should you buy?
- macro For macro photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA FFII 90 mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.2 m.
- portrait For portrait photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA FFII 90 mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X has the edge: its f/2.8 aperture gathers more light than f/3.5.
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Specification
| Specification | Olympus OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO | Venus Optics LAOWA FFII 90 mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 90mm | 90mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.5 | f/2.8 ◆ |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Macro prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Micro Four Thirds | Full frame |
| Weight | 453 g (1 lb) ◆ | 619 g |
| Dimensions | 69.8 mm (diameter) x 136 mm (length) | 120 x 74 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.224 m (8.8 inches) | 0.205 m ◆ |
| Maximum magnification | 2x (4x 35mm equivalent) | — |
| Image stabilization | Yes (up to 7 stops with Sync IS) ◆ | No |
| Weather sealing | IP53-rated dust, splash, and freeze-resistant ◆ | No |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 7 (circular) | 13 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 18 elements in 13 groups (including 4 ED, 1 Super ED, 1 HR, and 2 Super HR elements) | 13 elements / 10 groups |
| Filter size | 62 mm ◆ | 67 mm |
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds, Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, L-Mount |
| Released | 2022 | 2022 |
| Price | — | $499 launch price |
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Size
- A · Olympus
- B · Venus
- 136 × 69.8 mm
- 120 × 74 mm
The OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO is 16 mm longer and 166 g lighter than the Venus Optics LAOWA FFII 90 mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X.
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Sample frames
OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO
Venus Optics LAOWA FFII 90 mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO or the Venus Optics LAOWA FFII 90 mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA FFII 90 mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X opens to f/2.8, against f/3.5 on the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO, 0.6 stops brighter.
- Which is lighter, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO or the Venus Optics LAOWA FFII 90 mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X?
- The OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO weighs 453 g, 166 g less than the Venus Optics LAOWA FFII 90 mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X (619 g).
- Which focuses closer, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO or the Venus Optics LAOWA FFII 90 mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA FFII 90 mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X focuses down to 0.2 m, against 0.22 m for the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO.
- Do the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO and the Venus Optics LAOWA FFII 90 mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X have image stabilization?
- Only the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO has optical image stabilization.
- Is the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO or the Venus Optics LAOWA FFII 90 mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X better for macro photography?
- For macro photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA FFII 90 mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.2 m.
- Is the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO or the Venus Optics LAOWA FFII 90 mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA FFII 90 mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X has the edge: its f/2.8 aperture gathers more light than f/3.5.
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