Samyang 16mm F2 ED AS UMC CS § 03 Head to head
Samyang 16mm F2 ED AS UMC CS vs Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm T2.1 Zero-D Cine
Samyang 16mm f/2.0 has a longer reach. Laowa 15mm f/2 has a wider field of view.
Both lenses are made for the Sony E mount: the Samyang 16mm F2 ED AS UMC CS is a 16mm f/2.0 prime, and the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm T2.1 Zero-D Cine is a 15mm f/2 prime. On paper the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm T2.1 Zero-D Cine comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Samyang 16mm F2 ED AS UMC CS 
Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm T2.1 Zero-D Cine 01
Key differences
Why is the Samyang 16mm F2 ED AS UMC CS better than the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm T2.1 Zero-D Cine?
- Longer reach (16mm vs 15mm)
- More aperture blades (8 vs 5)
Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm T2.1 Zero-D Cine better than the Samyang 16mm F2 ED AS UMC CS?
- Wider field of view (15mm vs 16mm)
- 43 g lighter (540 g vs 583 g)
- Focuses 5 cm closer (0.15 m vs 0.2 m)
- Covers a larger sensor format (full-frame vs APS-C)
- Newer design (2020 vs 2013)
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm T2.1 Zero-D Cine has the edge: it goes wider, to 15mm against 16mm.
- architecture For architecture, the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm T2.1 Zero-D Cine has the edge: it goes wider, to 15mm against 16mm.
- astrophotography For astrophotography, the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm T2.1 Zero-D Cine has the edge: it goes wider, to 15mm against 16mm.
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Specification
| Specification | Samyang 16mm F2 ED AS UMC CS | Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm T2.1 Zero-D Cine |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 16mm | 15mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.0 | f/2 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Wide-angle prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | APS-C | Full frame |
| Weight | 583 g (1.28 lbs) | 540 g ◆ |
| Dimensions | 83 mm (diameter) x 89 mm (length) | 84.8 x 91.2 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.2 m (7.87 in) | 0.15 m ◆ |
| Maximum magnification | 0.13x | — |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | No | — |
| Aperture ring | Yes | Yes |
| Aperture blades | 8 ◆ | 5 |
| Optical construction | 13 elements in 11 groups (1 ED element, 2 aspherical elements) | 12 elements / 9 groups |
| Filter size | 77 mm | 77 mm |
| Lens mount | Canon EF-M, Canon EF-S, Four Thirds, Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds, Nikon F, Pentax K, Samsung NX, Sony A, Sony E | Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF |
| Released | 2013 | 2020 |
04
Size
- A · Samyang
- B · Venus
- 89 × 83 mm
- 91.2 × 84.8 mm
The Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm T2.1 Zero-D Cine is 2 mm longer and 43 g lighter than the Samyang 16mm F2 ED AS UMC CS.
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Sample frames
Samyang 16mm F2 ED AS UMC CS
Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm T2.1 Zero-D Cine
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Samyang 16mm F2 ED AS UMC CS or the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm T2.1 Zero-D Cine?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm T2.1 Zero-D Cine weighs 540 g, 43 g less than the Samyang 16mm F2 ED AS UMC CS (583 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Samyang 16mm F2 ED AS UMC CS or the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm T2.1 Zero-D Cine?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm T2.1 Zero-D Cine focuses down to 0.15 m, against 0.2 m for the Samyang 16mm F2 ED AS UMC CS.
- Do the Samyang 16mm F2 ED AS UMC CS and the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm T2.1 Zero-D Cine have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the Samyang 16mm F2 ED AS UMC CS or the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm T2.1 Zero-D Cine better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm T2.1 Zero-D Cine has the edge: it goes wider, to 15mm against 16mm.
- Is the Samyang 16mm F2 ED AS UMC CS or the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm T2.1 Zero-D Cine better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm T2.1 Zero-D Cine has the edge: it goes wider, to 15mm against 16mm.