Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/4.5 0.5x Macro § 03 Head to head
Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/4.5 0.5x Macro vs Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15 mm f/4.5 Aspherical III
Laowa 15mm f/4.5 focuses 17 cm closer. Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 is 14 g lighter.
The Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/4.5 0.5x Macro is a 15mm f/4.5 prime, and the Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15 mm f/4.5 Aspherical III is a 15mm f/4.5 prime. On paper the Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15 mm f/4.5 Aspherical III comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 1, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/4.5 0.5x Macro 
Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15 mm f/4.5 Aspherical III 01
Key differences
Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/4.5 0.5x Macro better than the Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15 mm f/4.5 Aspherical III?
- Focuses 17 cm closer (0.13 m vs 0.3 m)
Why is the Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15 mm f/4.5 Aspherical III better than the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/4.5 0.5x Macro?
- 14 g lighter (294 g vs 308 g)
- Has a physical aperture ring
- More aperture blades (10 vs 5)
- Smaller filter thread (58 mm vs 62 mm)
02
Which should you buy?
- macro For macro photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/4.5 0.5x Macro has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.13 m.
- landscape For landscape photography, the Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15 mm f/4.5 Aspherical III has the edge: it is 14 g lighter to carry.
- architecture For architecture, the Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15 mm f/4.5 Aspherical III has the edge: it is 14 g lighter to carry.
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Specification
| Specification | Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/4.5 0.5x Macro | Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15 mm f/4.5 Aspherical III |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 15mm | 15mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4.5 | f/4.5 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 308 g | 294 g (10.37 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 47.7 x 70 mm | 66.4 x 67.5 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.129 m ◆ | 0.3 m (11.81 inches) |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Aperture ring | No | Yes |
| Aperture blades | 5 | 10 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 16 elements / 11 groups | 11 elements / 9 groups |
| Filter size | 62 mm | 58 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, L-Mount | Sony E, Nikon Z |
| Released | 2025 | — |
| Price | $399 launch price | — |
04
Size
- A · Venus
- B · Voigtlander
- 70 × 47.7 mm
- 67.5 × 66.4 mm
The Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/4.5 0.5x Macro is 3 mm longer and 14 g heavier than the Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15 mm f/4.5 Aspherical III.
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Sample frames
Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15 mm f/4.5 Aspherical III
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/4.5 0.5x Macro or the Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15 mm f/4.5 Aspherical III?
- The Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15 mm f/4.5 Aspherical III weighs 294 g, 14 g less than the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/4.5 0.5x Macro (308 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/4.5 0.5x Macro or the Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15 mm f/4.5 Aspherical III?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/4.5 0.5x Macro focuses down to 0.13 m, against 0.3 m for the Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15 mm f/4.5 Aspherical III.
- Do the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/4.5 0.5x Macro and the Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15 mm f/4.5 Aspherical III 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 15 mm f/4.5 0.5x Macro or the Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15 mm f/4.5 Aspherical III better for macro photography?
- For macro photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/4.5 0.5x Macro has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.13 m.
- Is the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/4.5 0.5x Macro or the Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15 mm f/4.5 Aspherical III better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Voigtlander Super Wide Heliar 15 mm f/4.5 Aspherical III has the edge: it is 14 g lighter to carry.