§ 03 Head to head

Sigma C 17 mm f/4 DG DN vs Venus Optics LAOWA 17 mm f/4 Zero-D Shift

Sigma 17mm f/4 is 545 g lighter. Laowa 17mm f/4 has a more aperture blades.

Both lenses are made for the Sony E mount: the Sigma C 17 mm f/4 DG DN is a 17mm f/4 prime, and the Venus Optics LAOWA 17 mm f/4 Zero-D Shift is a 17mm f/4 prime. On paper the Sigma C 17 mm f/4 DG DN comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Sigma C 17 mm f/4 DG DN better than the Venus Optics LAOWA 17 mm f/4 Zero-D Shift?

  • 545 g lighter (225 g vs 770 g)
  • 47 mm shorter (64 mm vs 111 mm long)
  • Focuses 13 cm closer (0.12 m vs 0.25 m)
  • Smaller filter thread (55 mm vs 86 mm)
  • $400 cheaper ($599 list price vs $999 launch price)

Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA 17 mm f/4 Zero-D Shift better than the Sigma C 17 mm f/4 DG DN?

  • More aperture blades (14 vs 7)
  • Covers a larger sensor format (full-frame vs APS-C)
  • Newer design (2026 vs 2023)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • landscape For landscape photography, the Sigma C 17 mm f/4 DG DN has the edge: it is 545 g lighter to carry.
  • architecture For architecture, the Sigma C 17 mm f/4 DG DN has the edge: it is 545 g lighter to carry.
03

Specification

16 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationSigma C 17 mm f/4 DG DNVenus Optics LAOWA 17 mm f/4 Zero-D Shift
Focal length17mm 17mm
Maximum aperturef/4 f/4
Minimum aperturef/22 f/22
Lens typePrime lens Prime lens
FormatAPS-C Full frame
Weight225 g ◆770 g
Dimensions48.8 x 64 mm 111 x 93 mm
Minimum focusing distance0.12 m ◆0.25 m
Image stabilizationNo No
Aperture ringNo —
Aperture blades7 14 ◆
Optical construction9 elements / 8 groups 18 elements / 12 groups
Filter size55 mm ◆86 mm
Lens mountSony E, L-Mount Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm G, L-Mount
Released2023 2026
Price$599 list price ◆$999 launch price
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Sigma
  • B · Venus
  • 64 × 48.8 mm
  • 111 × 93 mm

The Venus Optics LAOWA 17 mm f/4 Zero-D Shift is 47 mm longer and 545 g heavier than the Sigma C 17 mm f/4 DG DN.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Sigma C 17 mm f/4 DG DN

DSC08899
DSC08899 by Mahmoud T. Amer
Front Entrance - Hotel Lemnos - Myrina Harbour (Lemnos - NE Aegean - Greece) (Panasonic Lumix S1 & Sigma iSeries 17mm F4 Prime Lens)
Front Entrance - Hotel Lemnos - Myrina Harbour (Lemnos - NE Aegean - Greece) (Panasonic Lumix S1 & Sigma iSeries 17mm F4 Prime Lens) by markdbaynham
Great Craft Beer Since 1996 - CK Browar (Polish Micro Brewery) Krakow Old Town (Panasonic DC-S1 & Sigma iSeries 17mm F4 Prime)
Great Craft Beer Since 1996 - CK Browar (Polish Micro Brewery) Krakow Old Town (Panasonic DC-S1 & Sigma iSeries 17mm F4 Prime) by markdbaynham
Wine & Evening Nibbles - Cafe Romeiko (Roman Seafront Area - Myrina Town - Limnos - NE Aegean - Greece) (Panasonic S1 & Sigma iSeries 17mmm F4 Prime Lens)
Wine & Evening Nibbles - Cafe Romeiko (Roman Seafront Area - Myrina Town - Limnos - NE Aegean - Greece) (Panasonic S1 & Sigma iSeries 17mmm F4 Prime Lens) by markdbaynham
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Sigma C 17 mm f/4 DG DN review 1
Video thumbnail for Sigma C 17 mm f/4 DG DN review 2
Video thumbnail for Venus Optics LAOWA 17 mm f/4 Zero-D Shift review 1
Video thumbnail for Venus Optics LAOWA 17 mm f/4 Zero-D Shift review 2
07

Questions

Which is lighter, the Sigma C 17 mm f/4 DG DN or the Venus Optics LAOWA 17 mm f/4 Zero-D Shift?
The Sigma C 17 mm f/4 DG DN weighs 225 g, 545 g less than the Venus Optics LAOWA 17 mm f/4 Zero-D Shift (770 g).
Which focuses closer, the Sigma C 17 mm f/4 DG DN or the Venus Optics LAOWA 17 mm f/4 Zero-D Shift?
The Sigma C 17 mm f/4 DG DN focuses down to 0.12 m, against 0.25 m for the Venus Optics LAOWA 17 mm f/4 Zero-D Shift.
Do the Sigma C 17 mm f/4 DG DN and the Venus Optics LAOWA 17 mm f/4 Zero-D Shift have image stabilization?
No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
Is the Sigma C 17 mm f/4 DG DN or the Venus Optics LAOWA 17 mm f/4 Zero-D Shift better for landscape photography?
For landscape photography, the Sigma C 17 mm f/4 DG DN has the edge: it is 545 g lighter to carry.
Is the Sigma C 17 mm f/4 DG DN or the Venus Optics LAOWA 17 mm f/4 Zero-D Shift better for architecture?
For architecture, the Sigma C 17 mm f/4 DG DN has the edge: it is 545 g lighter to carry.
08

Other comparisons