§ 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

From manufacturer specifications

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?

By use
  • 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

14 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationSony 50 mm f/2.8 MacroVenus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens
Focal length50mm 60mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8 f/2.8
Minimum aperturef/32 f/22
Lens typePrime lens Prime lens
FormatFull frame APS-C
Weight295 g (10.41 oz) ◆503 g (17.74 oz)
Dimensions71.5 x 60 mm 95 x 70 mm
Minimum focusing distance0.2 m (7.87 inches) 0.18 m (7.09 inches) ◆
Aperture ring—Yes
Aperture blades7 14 ◆
Optical construction7 elements in 6 groups 9 elements / 7 groups
Filter size55 mm ◆62 mm
Lens mountSony A Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Pentax K, Sony E
Released2006 —
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • 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

Shot on each lens

Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens

My personal paradise! (Various spp.)
My personal paradise! (Various spp.) by StringbeanWill
Star of the show! (Danaus plexippus)
Star of the show! (Danaus plexippus) by StringbeanWill
A beautiful butterfly backside! (Burnsius communis)
A beautiful butterfly backside! (Burnsius communis) by StringbeanWill
A grizzled veteran. (Dione vanillae)
A grizzled veteran. (Dione vanillae) by StringbeanWill
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Sony 50 mm f/2.8 Macro review 1
Video thumbnail for Sony 50 mm f/2.8 Macro review 2
Video thumbnail for Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens review 1
Video thumbnail for Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens review 2
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