Sony FE 8-14 mm f/3.5 G § 03 Head to head
Sony FE 8-14 mm f/3.5 G vs Venus Optics LAOWA 8-16 mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF
Sony 8–14mm f/3.5 has a brighter maximum aperture. Laowa 8–16mm f/3.5-5 has a longer reach.
Both lenses are made for the Sony E mount: the Sony FE 8-14 mm f/3.5 G is an 8–14mm f/3.5 zoom, and the Venus Optics LAOWA 8-16 mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF is an 8–16mm f/3.5-5 zoom. On paper the Sony FE 8-14 mm f/3.5 G comes out ahead, 8 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Sony FE 8-14 mm f/3.5 G 
Venus Optics LAOWA 8-16 mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF 01
Key differences
Why is the Sony FE 8-14 mm f/3.5 G better than the Venus Optics LAOWA 8-16 mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF?
- Brighter maximum aperture (f/3.5 vs f/3.5-5)
- 149 g lighter (314 g vs 463 g)
- 25 mm shorter (63.1 mm vs 88.4 mm long)
- Focuses 5 cm closer (0.15 m vs 0.2 m)
- Is weather sealed
- Has a physical aperture ring
- More aperture blades (7 vs 5)
- Newer design (2026 vs 2023)
Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA 8-16 mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF better than the Sony FE 8-14 mm f/3.5 G?
- Longer reach (16mm vs 14mm)
- $1,051 cheaper ($549 launch price vs $1,599.99 launch price)
02
Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Sony FE 8-14 mm f/3.5 G has the edge: it is weather sealed.
- architecture For architecture, the Sony FE 8-14 mm f/3.5 G has the edge: it is 149 g lighter to carry.
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Specification
| Specification | Sony FE 8-14 mm f/3.5 G | Venus Optics LAOWA 8-16 mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 8–14mm | 8–16mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.5 ◆ | f/3.5-5 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Lens type | Zoom lens | Wide-angle zoom lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full Frame |
| Weight | 314 g (11.08 oz) ◆ | 463 g |
| Dimensions | 82.8 x 63.1 mm | 88.53 x 88.4 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.15 m (5.91 inches) ◆ | 0.2 m |
| Maximum magnification | — | 0.125x |
| Image stabilization | — | No |
| Weather sealing | Yes ◆ | No |
| Aperture ring | Yes | No |
| Aperture blades | 7 ◆ | 5 |
| Optical construction | 16 elements / 13 groups | 16 elements / 12 groups (2 aspherical elements, 2 extra-low dispersion elements) |
| Filter size | — | 86 mm |
| Lens mount | Sony E | Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm X, Canon EF-M |
| Released | 2026 | 2023 |
| Price | $1,599.99 launch price | $549 launch price ◆ |
04
Size
- A · Sony
- B · Venus
- 63.1 × 82.8 mm
- 88.4 × 88.53 mm
The Venus Optics LAOWA 8-16 mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF is 25 mm longer and 149 g heavier than the Sony FE 8-14 mm f/3.5 G.
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Sony FE 8-14 mm f/3.5 G or the Venus Optics LAOWA 8-16 mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF?
- The Sony FE 8-14 mm f/3.5 G opens to f/3.5, against f/3.5-5 on the Venus Optics LAOWA 8-16 mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF.
- Which is lighter, the Sony FE 8-14 mm f/3.5 G or the Venus Optics LAOWA 8-16 mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF?
- The Sony FE 8-14 mm f/3.5 G weighs 314 g, 149 g less than the Venus Optics LAOWA 8-16 mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF (463 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Sony FE 8-14 mm f/3.5 G or the Venus Optics LAOWA 8-16 mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF?
- The Sony FE 8-14 mm f/3.5 G focuses down to 0.15 m, against 0.2 m for the Venus Optics LAOWA 8-16 mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF.
- Is the Sony FE 8-14 mm f/3.5 G or the Venus Optics LAOWA 8-16 mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Sony FE 8-14 mm f/3.5 G has the edge: it is weather sealed.
- Is the Sony FE 8-14 mm f/3.5 G or the Venus Optics LAOWA 8-16 mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Sony FE 8-14 mm f/3.5 G has the edge: it is 149 g lighter to carry.