§ 03 Head to head
Sony 50 mm f/2.8 Macro vs Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens
Sony 50mm f/2.8 has a wider field of view. Laowa 60mm f/2.8 has a longer reach.
The Sony 50 mm f/2.8 Macro is a 50mm f/2.8 prime, and the Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens is a 60mm f/2.8 prime. On paper the Sony 50 mm f/2.8 Macro comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
01
Key differences
Why is the Sony 50 mm f/2.8 Macro better than the Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens?
- Wider field of view (50mm vs 60mm)
- 208 g lighter (295 g vs 503 g)
- 10 mm shorter (60 mm vs 70 mm long)
- Smaller filter thread (55 mm vs 62 mm)
- Covers a larger sensor format (full-frame vs APS-C)
Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens better than the Sony 50 mm f/2.8 Macro?
- Longer reach (60mm vs 50mm)
- Focuses 2 cm closer (0.18 m vs 0.2 m)
- More aperture blades (14 vs 7)
02
Which should you buy?
- macro For macro photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.18 m.
- portrait For portrait photography, the Sony 50 mm f/2.8 Macro has the edge: it is 208 g lighter to carry.
03
Specification
| Specification | Sony 50 mm f/2.8 Macro | Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 50mm | 60mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | APS-C |
| Weight | 295 g (10.41 oz) ◆ | 503 g (17.74 oz) |
| Dimensions | 71.5 x 60 mm | 95 x 70 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.2 m (7.87 inches) | 0.18 m (7.09 inches) ◆ |
| Aperture ring | — | Yes |
| Aperture blades | 7 | 14 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 7 elements in 6 groups | 9 elements / 7 groups |
| Filter size | 55 mm ◆ | 62 mm |
| Lens mount | Sony A | Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Pentax K, Sony E |
| Released | 2006 | — |
04
Size
- A · Sony
- B · Venus
- 60 × 71.5 mm
- 70 × 95 mm
The Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens is 10 mm longer and 208 g heavier than the Sony 50 mm f/2.8 Macro.
05
Sample frames
Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens
06
Video reviews
07
Questions
- Which is lighter, the Sony 50 mm f/2.8 Macro or the Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens?
- The Sony 50 mm f/2.8 Macro weighs 295 g, 208 g less than the Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens (503 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Sony 50 mm f/2.8 Macro or the Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens focuses down to 0.18 m, against 0.2 m for the Sony 50 mm f/2.8 Macro.
- Is the Sony 50 mm f/2.8 Macro or the Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens better for macro photography?
- For macro photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.18 m.
- Is the Sony 50 mm f/2.8 Macro or the Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Sony 50 mm f/2.8 Macro has the edge: it is 208 g lighter to carry.
08
Other comparisons
- Nikon Nikkor MF 55 mm f/2.8 Micro vs Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens
- Sigma 70mm F2.8 DG Macro Art vs Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens
- Nikon Nikkor AF-S Micro 60 mm f/2.8G ED vs Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens
- Nikon Nikkor AF Micro 60 mm f/2.8D vs Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens



