Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D 12mm
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
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
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
The Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS lens is widely praised as an excellent all-in-one travel and walkaround lens for APS-C E-mount cameras. Users consistently highlight its sharpness, compact size, light weight, and versatile 27-200mm equivalent zoom range. While many note it is not ideal for low light and some report significant vignetting at the wide end, the overall sentiment is very positive, with most considering it a great value kit lens upgrade.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Compact and lightweight
- Versatile 27-200mm equivalent zoom range
- Effective optical image stabilization
- Fast and accurate autofocus
Cons
- Significant vignetting at 18mm wide end
- Not ideal for low light photography
- Variable aperture limits brightness at telephoto
- Some copies may have quality control issues
- Slight autofocus lag compared to premium lenses
Scores
Specifications
| Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D 12mm | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | wide-angle | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 12 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 12 mm | 135 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 16 |
| Groups | 10 | 12 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 3★ | 2 |
| Coating | Frog Eye Coating | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.61 kg | 0.33 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 72 mm | 55 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | manual focus only | Linear motor★ |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 180 mm★ | 450 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.2x | 0.29x★ |
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)
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong versatility (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong aperture (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
Verdict
Scores 92 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 21 specs.