Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary § 03 Head to head
Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary vs Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO
Sigma 45mm f/2.8 is 384 g lighter. Laowa 45mm f/2.8 focuses 20 cm closer.
The Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary 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, 3 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary 
Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO 01
Key differences
Why is the Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary better than the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO?
- 384 g lighter (215 g vs 599 g)
- 75 mm shorter (46 mm vs 121 mm long)
Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO better than the Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary?
- Focuses 20 cm closer (0.04 m vs 0.24 m)
- More aperture blades (11 vs 7)
- Newer design (2026 vs 2019)
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Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary has the edge: it is 384 g lighter to carry.
- street For street photography, the Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary has the edge: it is 384 g lighter to carry.
- 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.
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Specification
| Specification | Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary | 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 | Standard prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full Frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 215 g (7.6 oz) ◆ | 599 g (21.13 oz) |
| Dimensions | 64 mm (diameter) x 46 mm (length) | 121 x 70.2 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.24 m (9.45 in) | 0.04 m (1.57 inches) ◆ |
| Maximum magnification | 0.25x | — |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | Yes (dust and splash resistant) | — |
| Aperture ring | Yes | Yes |
| Aperture blades | 7 (rounded) | 11 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 8 elements in 7 groups | 13 elements / 9 groups |
| Filter size | 55 mm | — |
| Lens mount | Sony E, L-Mount | Canon EF, Nikon F, Micro Four Thirds, Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm X, L-Mount |
| Released | 2019 | 2026 |
| Price | — | $749 launch price |
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Size
- A · Sigma
- B · Venus
- 46 × 64 mm
- 121 × 70.2 mm
The Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO is 75 mm longer and 384 g heavier than the Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary.
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Sample frames
Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary or the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO?
- The Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary weighs 215 g, 384 g less than the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO (599 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary 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 0.24 m for the Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary.
- Do the Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary and the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 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 Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary or the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary has the edge: it is 384 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary or the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO better for street photography?
- For street photography, the Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary has the edge: it is 384 g lighter to carry.
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Other comparisons
- Nikon Nikkor MF 45 mm f/2.8 P vs Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO
- Canon TS-E 45 mm f/2.8 vs Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO
- Canon EF 40 mm f/2.8 STM vs Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO
- 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