Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM § 03 Head to head
Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM vs Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO
Sigma 14mm f/1.8 has a wider field of view. Laowa 17.5mm f/1.7 is 0.2 stops brighter maximum aperture.
The Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM is a 14mm f/1.8 prime, and the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO is a 17.5mm f/1.7 prime. On paper the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO comes out ahead, 7 advantages to 1, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM 
Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO 01
Key differences
Why is the Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM better than the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO?
- Wider field of view (14mm vs 17.5mm)
Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO better than the Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM?
- 0.2 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/1.7 vs f/1.8)
- Longer reach (17.5mm vs 14mm)
- 600 g lighter (570 g vs 1170 g)
- Focuses 25 cm closer (0.02 m vs 0.27 m)
- Has a physical aperture ring
- More aperture blades (11 vs 9)
- Newer design (2026 vs 2017)
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM has the edge: it goes wider, to 14mm against 17.5mm.
- architecture For architecture, the Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM has the edge: it goes wider, to 14mm against 17.5mm.
- low-light For low-light shooting, the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO has the edge: its f/1.7 aperture gathers more light than f/1.8.
- astrophotography For astrophotography, the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO has the edge: its f/1.7 aperture gathers more light than f/1.8.
- macro For macro photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.02 m.
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Specification
| Specification | Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM | Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 14mm | 17.5mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.7 ◆ |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 | f/5.6 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 1170 g (41.27 oz) | 570 g (20.11 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 95.4 x 126 mm | 127.5 x 70.2 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.27 m (10.63 inches) | 0.022 m (0.87 inches) ◆ |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Aperture ring | No | Yes |
| Aperture blades | 9 | 11 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 16 elements / 11 groups | 17 elements / 12 groups |
| Lens mount | Canon EF, Nikon F, Sigma SA, Sony E, L-Mount | Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, L-Mount, Nikon F, Canon EF, Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds |
| Released | 2017 | 2026 |
| Price | $1,599 launch price | — |
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Size
- A · Sigma
- B · Venus
- 126 × 95.4 mm
- 127.5 × 70.2 mm
The Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO is 1 mm longer and 600 g lighter than the Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM.
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Sample frames
Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM or the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO opens to f/1.7, against f/1.8 on the Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM, 0.2 stops brighter.
- Which is lighter, the Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM or the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO weighs 570 g, 600 g less than the Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM (1170 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM or the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO focuses down to 0.02 m, against 0.27 m for the Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM.
- Do the Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM and the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x 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 A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM or the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM has the edge: it goes wider, to 14mm against 17.5mm.
- Is the Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM or the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM has the edge: it goes wider, to 14mm against 17.5mm.
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