Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS § 03 Head to head
Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS vs Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro
Sony 100mm f/2.8 is 515 g lighter. Laowa 100mm f/2.8 focuses 25 cm closer.
Both lenses are made for the Sony E mount: the Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS is a 100mm f/2.8 (T5.6) prime, and the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro is a 100mm f/2.8 prime. On paper the Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS 
Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro 01
Key differences
Why is the Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS better than the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro?
- 515 g lighter (700 g vs 1215 g)
- 44 mm shorter (118.1 mm vs 162 mm long)
- Has optical image stabilization
- Smaller filter thread (72 mm vs 77 mm)
Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro better than the Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS?
- Focuses 25 cm closer (0.32 m vs 0.57 m)
- More aperture blades (15 vs 11)
- Newer design (2024 vs 2017)
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Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS has the edge: it is 515 g lighter to carry.
- macro For macro photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.32 m.
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Specification
| Specification | Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS | Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 100mm | 100mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 (T5.6) | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/20 (T22) | f/22 |
| Lens type | Mid-telephoto prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full Frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 700 g (24.7 oz) ◆ | 1215 g |
| Dimensions | 85.2 mm (diameter) x 118.1 mm (length) | 162 x 85 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.57 m (1.87 ft) | 0.32 m ◆ |
| Maximum magnification | 0.25x | — |
| Image stabilization | Yes (Optical SteadyShot) ◆ | No |
| Weather sealing | Yes | — |
| Aperture ring | Yes | — |
| Aperture blades | 11 (circular) | 15 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 13 elements in 10 groups, including an apodization element for smooth bokeh | 13 elements / 10 groups |
| Filter size | 72 mm ◆ | 77 mm |
| Lens mount | Sony E | Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm G, L-Mount |
| Released | 2017 | 2024 |
| Price | — | $1,249 launch price |
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Size
- A · Sony
- B · Venus
- 118.1 × 85.2 mm
- 162 × 85 mm
The Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro is 44 mm longer and 515 g heavier than the Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS.
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Sample frames
Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS
Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS or the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro?
- The Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS weighs 700 g, 515 g less than the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro (1215 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS or the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro focuses down to 0.32 m, against 0.57 m for the Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS.
- Do the Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS and the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro have image stabilization?
- Only the Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS has optical image stabilization.
- Is the Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS or the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS has the edge: it is 515 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS or the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro better for macro photography?
- For macro photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.32 m.
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Other comparisons
- Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG DN Macro vs Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS
- Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro vs Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS
- Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS vs TTartisan Tilt-Shift 100 mm f/2.8 2x Macro
- Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS vs Tokina Firin 100 mm f/2.8 FE AF Macro
- Panasonic Lumix S 100 mm f/2.8 Macro vs Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro
- Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S vs Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro
- Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro vs Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro
- Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8 vs Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro