Which is lighter, the Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45 mm f/2.8 ASPH. M.O.I.S. or the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO?

The Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45 mm f/2.8 ASPH. M.O.I.S. weighs 225 g, 374 g less than the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO (599 g).

Which focuses closer, the Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45 mm f/2.8 ASPH. M.O.I.S. or the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO?

The Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO focuses down to 0.04 m, against 0.15 m for the Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45 mm f/2.8 ASPH. M.O.I.S..

Do the Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45 mm f/2.8 ASPH. M.O.I.S. and the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO have image stabilization?

Only the Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45 mm f/2.8 ASPH. M.O.I.S. has optical image stabilization.

Is the Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45 mm f/2.8 ASPH. M.O.I.S. or the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO better for macro photography?

For macro photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.04 m.

§ 03 Head to head

Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45 mm f/2.8 ASPH. M.O.I.S. vs Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO

Panasonic 45mm f/2.8 is 374 g lighter. Laowa 45mm f/2.8 focuses 11 cm closer.

The Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45 mm f/2.8 ASPH. M.O.I.S. is a 45mm f/2.8 prime, and the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO is a 45mm f/2.8 prime. On paper the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

Add a third lens →

Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45 mm f/2.8 ASPH. M.O.I.S.

f/2.8 · 45mm · 225 g

Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO

f/2.8 · 45mm · 599 g

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45 mm f/2.8 ASPH. M.O.I.S. better than the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO?

374 g lighter (225 g vs 599 g)
59 mm shorter (62.5 mm vs 121 mm long)
Has optical image stabilization

Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO better than the Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45 mm f/2.8 ASPH. M.O.I.S.?

Focuses 11 cm closer (0.04 m vs 0.15 m)
More aperture blades (11 vs 7)
Covers a larger sensor format (full-frame vs Micro Four Thirds)
Newer design (2026 vs 2009)

Which should you buy?

By use

macro For macro photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.04 m.

Specification

16 rows · better value flagged ◆

Specification	Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45 mm f/2.8 ASPH. M.O.I.S.	Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO
Focal length	45mm	45mm
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/2.8
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/11
Lens type	Prime lens	Prime lens
Format	Micro Four Thirds	Full frame
Weight	225 g (7.94 oz) ◆	599 g (21.13 oz)
Dimensions	63 x 62.5 mm	121 x 70.2 mm
Minimum focusing distance	0.15 m (5.91 inches)	0.04 m (1.57 inches) ◆
Image stabilization	Yes ◆	No
Aperture ring	—	Yes
Aperture blades	7	11 ◆
Optical construction	14 elements / 10 groups	13 elements / 9 groups
Filter size	46 mm	—
Lens mount	Micro Four Thirds	Canon EF, Nikon F, Micro Four Thirds, Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm X, L-Mount
Released	2009	2026
Price	—	$749 launch price

Size

Drawn to relative scale

A · Panasonic
B · Venus

62.5 × 63 mm
121 × 70.2 mm

The Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO is 58 mm longer and 374 g heavier than the Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45 mm f/2.8 ASPH. M.O.I.S..

Sample frames

Shot on each lens