Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO § 03 Head to head
Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO vs Yongnuo YN 17 mm f/1.7 MFT
Laowa 17.5mm f/1.7 has a longer reach. Yongnuo 17mm f/1.7 has a wider field of view.
The Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO is a 17.5mm f/1.7 prime, and the Yongnuo YN 17 mm f/1.7 MFT is a 17mm f/1.7 prime. On paper the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO comes out ahead, 6 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO 
Yongnuo YN 17 mm f/1.7 MFT 01
Key differences
Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO better than the Yongnuo YN 17 mm f/1.7 MFT?
- Longer reach (17.5mm vs 17mm)
- Focuses 16 cm closer (0.02 m vs 0.18 m)
- Has a physical aperture ring
- More aperture blades (11 vs 7)
- Covers a larger sensor format (full-frame vs Micro Four Thirds)
- Newer design (2026 vs 2024)
Why is the Yongnuo YN 17 mm f/1.7 MFT better than the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO?
- Wider field of view (17mm vs 17.5mm)
- 390 g lighter (180 g vs 570 g)
- 62 mm shorter (65.8 mm vs 127.5 mm long)
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Which should you buy?
- macro For macro photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.02 m.
- landscape For landscape photography, the Yongnuo YN 17 mm f/1.7 MFT has the edge: it goes wider, to 17mm against 17.5mm.
- architecture For architecture, the Yongnuo YN 17 mm f/1.7 MFT has the edge: it goes wider, to 17mm against 17.5mm.
- astrophotography For astrophotography, the Yongnuo YN 17 mm f/1.7 MFT has the edge: it goes wider, to 17mm against 17.5mm.
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Specification
| Specification | Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO | Yongnuo YN 17 mm f/1.7 MFT |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 17.5mm | 17mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.7 |
| Minimum aperture | f/5.6 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Micro Four Thirds |
| Weight | 570 g (20.11 oz) | 180 g ◆ |
| Dimensions | 127.5 x 70.2 mm | 77.8 x 65.8 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.022 m (0.87 inches) ◆ | 0.18 m |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Aperture ring | Yes | No |
| Aperture blades | 11 ◆ | 7 |
| Optical construction | 17 elements / 12 groups | 10 elements / 9 groups |
| Filter size | — | 52 mm |
| Lens mount | Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, L-Mount, Nikon F, Canon EF, Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Released | 2026 | 2024 |
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Size
- A · Venus
- B · Yongnuo
- 127.5 × 70.2 mm
- 65.8 × 77.8 mm
The Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO is 62 mm longer and 390 g heavier than the Yongnuo YN 17 mm f/1.7 MFT.
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO or the Yongnuo YN 17 mm f/1.7 MFT?
- The Yongnuo YN 17 mm f/1.7 MFT weighs 180 g, 390 g less than the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (570 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO or the Yongnuo YN 17 mm f/1.7 MFT?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO focuses down to 0.02 m, against 0.18 m for the Yongnuo YN 17 mm f/1.7 MFT.
- Do the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO and the Yongnuo YN 17 mm f/1.7 MFT 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 Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO or the Yongnuo YN 17 mm f/1.7 MFT better for macro photography?
- For macro photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.02 m.
- Is the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO or the Yongnuo YN 17 mm f/1.7 MFT better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Yongnuo YN 17 mm f/1.7 MFT has the edge: it goes wider, to 17mm against 17.5mm.
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