Venus Optics LAOWA 14 mm f/4 FF RL Zero-D § 03 Head to head
Venus Optics LAOWA 14 mm f/4 FF RL Zero-D vs Viltrox AF 14 mm f/4 Air
Laowa 14mm f/4 is 6 mm shorter. Viltrox 14mm f/4 is 58 g lighter.
The Venus Optics LAOWA 14 mm f/4 FF RL Zero-D is a 14mm f/4 prime, and the Viltrox AF 14 mm f/4 Air is a 14mm f/4 prime. On paper the Viltrox AF 14 mm f/4 Air comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Venus Optics LAOWA 14 mm f/4 FF RL Zero-D 
Viltrox AF 14 mm f/4 Air 01
Key differences
Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA 14 mm f/4 FF RL Zero-D better than the Viltrox AF 14 mm f/4 Air?
- 6 mm shorter (59 mm vs 65 mm long)
- Smaller filter thread (52 mm vs 58 mm)
Why is the Viltrox AF 14 mm f/4 Air better than the Venus Optics LAOWA 14 mm f/4 FF RL Zero-D?
- 58 g lighter (170 g vs 228 g)
- Focuses 14 cm closer (0.13 m vs 0.27 m)
- More aperture blades (7 vs 5)
- $350 cheaper ($199 list price vs $549 launch price)
- Newer design (2025 vs 2020)
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Viltrox AF 14 mm f/4 Air has the edge: it is 58 g lighter to carry.
- architecture For architecture, the Viltrox AF 14 mm f/4 Air has the edge: it is 58 g lighter to carry.
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Specification
| Specification | Venus Optics LAOWA 14 mm f/4 FF RL Zero-D | Viltrox AF 14 mm f/4 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 14mm | 14mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 | f/4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 228 g | 170 g (6.00 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 58 x 59 mm | 56 x 65 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.27 m | 0.13 m (5.12 inches) ◆ |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 5 | 7 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 13 elements / 9 groups | 12 elements / 9 groups |
| Filter size | 52 mm ◆ | 58 mm |
| Lens mount | Leica M, Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, L-Mount | Sony E, Nikon Z |
| Released | 2020 | 2025 |
| Price | $549 launch price | $199 list price ◆ |
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Size
- A · Venus
- B · Viltrox
- 59 × 58 mm
- 65 × 56 mm
The Viltrox AF 14 mm f/4 Air is 6 mm longer and 58 g lighter than the Venus Optics LAOWA 14 mm f/4 FF RL Zero-D.
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Sample frames
Venus Optics LAOWA 14 mm f/4 FF RL Zero-D
Viltrox AF 14 mm f/4 Air
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Venus Optics LAOWA 14 mm f/4 FF RL Zero-D or the Viltrox AF 14 mm f/4 Air?
- The Viltrox AF 14 mm f/4 Air weighs 170 g, 58 g less than the Venus Optics LAOWA 14 mm f/4 FF RL Zero-D (228 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Venus Optics LAOWA 14 mm f/4 FF RL Zero-D or the Viltrox AF 14 mm f/4 Air?
- The Viltrox AF 14 mm f/4 Air focuses down to 0.13 m, against 0.27 m for the Venus Optics LAOWA 14 mm f/4 FF RL Zero-D.
- Do the Venus Optics LAOWA 14 mm f/4 FF RL Zero-D and the Viltrox AF 14 mm f/4 Air have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the Venus Optics LAOWA 14 mm f/4 FF RL Zero-D or the Viltrox AF 14 mm f/4 Air better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Viltrox AF 14 mm f/4 Air has the edge: it is 58 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Venus Optics LAOWA 14 mm f/4 FF RL Zero-D or the Viltrox AF 14 mm f/4 Air better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Viltrox AF 14 mm f/4 Air has the edge: it is 58 g lighter to carry.