Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D 12mm
Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC
What Buyers Say
Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D 12mm
The Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D lens is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, minimal distortion, and solid all-metal build, making it a favorite for real estate, architecture, and astrophotography. Users appreciate the value for money compared to pricier alternatives, though some note it is heavier than expected and lacks autofocus. A few reviewers report issues with infinity focus on Nikon bodies and poor customer support from Venus Optics, but overall sentiment remains very positive.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Minimal distortion (Zero-D)
- Solid all-metal build
- Great value for money
- Compact and lightweight
Cons
- Heavier than expected
- No autofocus
- Infinity focus issues on Nikon bodies
- Poor customer support from Venus Optics
- Lens cap not secure
Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC
The Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC DN Art lens is overwhelmingly praised for its exceptional image quality, fast constant aperture, and compact internal zoom design. Users highlight its sharpness, lightweight build, and excellent autofocus performance, especially on crop-sensor mirrorless cameras like the Canon R7 and Fujifilm bodies. A few questions about compatibility with specific cameras and features like weather sealing and aperture ring are noted, but the overall sentiment is extremely positive.
Pros
- Exceptional image quality
- Fast constant f/1.8 aperture
- Compact internal zoom design
- Lightweight build
- Sharp and bright photos
Cons
- No weather sealing mentioned
- No manual aperture ring on some mounts
- Compatibility questions with full-frame cameras
- Expensive for some buyers
Scores
Specifications
| Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D 12mm | Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | wide-angle | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 12 mm | 17 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 12 mm | 40 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 17 |
| Groups | 10 | 11 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 3 | 4★ |
| Coating | Frog Eye Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/1.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.8 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 11★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF | Fujifilm X |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.61 kg | 0.54 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 72 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | manual focus only | HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 180 mm★ | 280 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.2x | 1:4.8★ |
Pros & Cons
Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D 12mm
- Strong optical (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Strong social proof (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Below average bokeh (14th percentile)14th %ile
- Below average af (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC
- Strong user sentiment (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong bokeh (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong optical (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong aperture (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 21 specs.