Venus Optics LAOWA 9 mm f/5.6 FF RL § 03 Head to head
Venus Optics LAOWA 9 mm f/5.6 FF RL vs Voigtlander Hyper Wide Heliar 10 mm f/5.6 Aspherical VM
Laowa 9mm f/5.6 has a wider field of view. Voigtlander 10mm f/5.6 has a longer reach.
Both lenses are made for the Leica M mount: the Venus Optics LAOWA 9 mm f/5.6 FF RL is a 9mm f/5.6 prime, and the Voigtlander Hyper Wide Heliar 10 mm f/5.6 Aspherical VM is a 10mm f/5.6 prime. On paper the Voigtlander Hyper Wide Heliar 10 mm f/5.6 Aspherical VM comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Venus Optics LAOWA 9 mm f/5.6 FF RL 
Voigtlander Hyper Wide Heliar 10 mm f/5.6 Aspherical VM 01
Key differences
Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA 9 mm f/5.6 FF RL better than the Voigtlander Hyper Wide Heliar 10 mm f/5.6 Aspherical VM?
- Wider field of view (9mm vs 10mm)
- Focuses 38 cm closer (0.12 m vs 0.5 m)
Why is the Voigtlander Hyper Wide Heliar 10 mm f/5.6 Aspherical VM better than the Venus Optics LAOWA 9 mm f/5.6 FF RL?
- Longer reach (10mm vs 9mm)
- 38 g lighter (312 g vs 350 g)
- 4 mm shorter (58.7 mm vs 62.4 mm long)
- More aperture blades (10 vs 5)
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA 9 mm f/5.6 FF RL has the edge: it goes wider, to 9mm against 10mm.
- architecture For architecture, the Venus Optics LAOWA 9 mm f/5.6 FF RL has the edge: it goes wider, to 9mm against 10mm.
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Specification
| Specification | Venus Optics LAOWA 9 mm f/5.6 FF RL | Voigtlander Hyper Wide Heliar 10 mm f/5.6 Aspherical VM |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 9mm | 10mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/5.6 | f/5.6 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 350 g | 312 g (11.01 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 66 x 62.4 mm | 67.8 x 58.7 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.12 m ◆ | 0.5 m (19.69 inches) |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Aperture ring | — | Yes |
| Aperture blades | 5 | 10 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 14 elements / 10 groups | 13 elements / 10 groups |
| Lens mount | Leica M, Sony E, Nikon Z, L-Mount | Leica M |
| Released | 2020 | — |
| Price | $799 launch price | — |
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Size
- A · Venus
- B · Voigtlander
- 62.4 × 66 mm
- 58.7 × 67.8 mm
The Venus Optics LAOWA 9 mm f/5.6 FF RL is 4 mm longer and 38 g heavier than the Voigtlander Hyper Wide Heliar 10 mm f/5.6 Aspherical VM.
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Sample frames
Venus Optics LAOWA 9 mm f/5.6 FF RL
Voigtlander Hyper Wide Heliar 10 mm f/5.6 Aspherical VM
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Venus Optics LAOWA 9 mm f/5.6 FF RL or the Voigtlander Hyper Wide Heliar 10 mm f/5.6 Aspherical VM?
- The Voigtlander Hyper Wide Heliar 10 mm f/5.6 Aspherical VM weighs 312 g, 38 g less than the Venus Optics LAOWA 9 mm f/5.6 FF RL (350 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Venus Optics LAOWA 9 mm f/5.6 FF RL or the Voigtlander Hyper Wide Heliar 10 mm f/5.6 Aspherical VM?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA 9 mm f/5.6 FF RL focuses down to 0.12 m, against 0.5 m for the Voigtlander Hyper Wide Heliar 10 mm f/5.6 Aspherical VM.
- Do the Venus Optics LAOWA 9 mm f/5.6 FF RL and the Voigtlander Hyper Wide Heliar 10 mm f/5.6 Aspherical VM 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 9 mm f/5.6 FF RL or the Voigtlander Hyper Wide Heliar 10 mm f/5.6 Aspherical VM better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA 9 mm f/5.6 FF RL has the edge: it goes wider, to 9mm against 10mm.
- Is the Venus Optics LAOWA 9 mm f/5.6 FF RL or the Voigtlander Hyper Wide Heliar 10 mm f/5.6 Aspherical VM better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Venus Optics LAOWA 9 mm f/5.6 FF RL has the edge: it goes wider, to 9mm against 10mm.
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