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Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6

The Venus Optics 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 is a 10–18mm f/4.5 lens designed for Sony E mount cameras. Used copies start from $489.6 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.

Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6

Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6

Used Venus Optics 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Listings on GearFocus

Lens Overview — Venus Optics 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6

The Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 from Venus Optics is a wide-angle zoom lens designed for Sony E mount mirrorless cameras, covering a full-frame image circle. Spanning a focal length range of 10mm to 18mm, it gives photographers a genuinely expansive wide-angle perspective that suits architectural interiors, landscapes, and environmental portraiture. The maximum aperture opens to f/4.5 at the wide end, offering reasonable light-gathering capability across the zoom range.

Weighing in at 496g, this is a reasonably compact option for a full-frame wide-angle zoom, making it a practical companion for shooters who want to keep their kit manageable without sacrificing coverage. The lens accepts 37mm filters, which is a notably small filter thread size that keeps accessory costs down. Focus is entirely manual, so this lens is aimed at photographers comfortable with precise manual focusing techniques — think deliberate, tripod-based shooting or situations where autofocus is less critical.

With no image stabilization on board, steady shooting technique or a stable platform will be important when working at slower shutter speeds. Overall, this is a purpose-built wide-angle zoom for Sony E mount full-frame shooters who prioritize focal length range and compact form over autofocus and stabilization.

Key Features — Venus Optics 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6

10-18mm Full-Frame Zoom: Covers an ultra-wide focal length range on full-frame Sony E-mount bodies, suitable for architecture, interiors, and landscapes.

Sony E Mount: Designed specifically for Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras such as the A7 and A9 series with no crop factor penalty.

f/4.5-5.6 Maximum Aperture: Opens to f/4.5 at the wide end, providing reasonable light gathering for a zoom lens in this focal length range.

Manual Focus Only: Fully manual focus operation suits deliberate shooting styles such as tripod-based landscape, architectural, or astrophotography work.

37mm Filter Thread: Unusually small filter thread size keeps the cost of wide-angle filters and accessories significantly lower than comparable lenses.

Compact 496g Build: Relatively lightweight for a full-frame wide-angle zoom, making it a practical choice for travel and location shooting.

Lens Specifications — Venus Optics 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6

Venus Optics 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 full specifications
SpecDetail
Use CasesTravel, Astrophotography
Lens TypeZoom
FormatFull Frame
Zoom/PrimeZoom
Focal Length10–18mm
Maximum Aperturef/4.5
Camera SystemMirrorless
Lens MountSony E
AutofocusNo
Focus TypeManual Focus
Image StabilizationNone
Filter Thread37mm

Description — Venus Optics 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6

The Venus Optics Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 is a wide-angle zoom lens built for Sony E mount mirrorless cameras with full-frame coverage. Its focal length range of 10mm to 18mm provides an expansive wide-angle view, making it an appealing choice for landscape, architectural, and creative wide-angle photography. With a maximum aperture of f/4.5, the lens gathers a reasonable amount of light across its zoom range.

Focusing is entirely manual, putting full creative control in the photographer's hands — ideal for measured, deliberate shooting styles. The lens weighs 496g and accepts 37mm filters, keeping the overall system footprint small and accessory costs low. There is no image stabilization, so a steady hand or stable support is recommended.

Designed exclusively for the Sony E mirrorless system, this lens is a strong consideration for full-frame Sony shooters seeking a compact, manual wide-angle zoom.

Pros — Venus Optics 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6

  • ✓Ultra-wide zoom range from 10mm to 18mm covers a broad wide-angle perspective on full-frame Sony E mount bodies
  • ✓Full-frame coverage (lensFormat: Full Frame) means no crop factor concerns for Sony full-frame mirrorless users
  • ✓Compact 37mm filter thread size keeps filter accessories affordable and easy to source

Cons — Venus Optics 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6

  • ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus support, which limits usability in fast-moving or documentary shooting scenarios
  • ✗No image stabilization, requiring careful technique or stabilized support at slower shutter speeds
  • ✗Maximum aperture of f/4.5 at the wide end is modest, limiting low-light performance

Videos — Venus Optics 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6

Venus Optics 'Laowa' 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 FE lens review with samples (Full-frame & APS-C) — Christopher Frost

Resources & Downloads — Venus Optics 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6

Manuals & Guides

Frequently Asked Questions — Venus Optics 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6

Does this lens work on full-frame Sony mirrorless cameras?+
Yes. The Laowa 10-18mm is specified as a full-frame lens (lensFormat: Full Frame) with a Sony E mount, making it compatible with Sony's full-frame E mount mirrorless bodies. It covers the full sensor without vignetting concerns inherent to APS-C only designs.
Does this lens have autofocus?+
No. The Laowa 10-18mm is a manual focus lens only — the specifications list focusType as Manual and autoFocus as false. Photographers will need to focus manually for every shot.
What filter size does this lens use?+
The lens has a 37mm filter thread. This is a smaller-than-average filter size, which can make it easier and less expensive to use filters such as ND or polarizing filters compared to larger thread sizes common on wide-angle lenses.
Does the lens have image stabilization?+
No. The specifications confirm imageStabilization is listed as None. Users should rely on their camera's in-body stabilization (if available) or use a tripod for sharp results at slower shutter speeds.
How heavy is this lens?+
The Laowa 10-18mm weighs 496g according to the specifications. This makes it a relatively manageable option for a full-frame wide-angle zoom, well-suited for travel or extended handheld use.

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