Laowa Argus 18mm f/0.95 APO 18mm
The f/0.95 maximum aperture delivers exceptional low-light performance and shallow depth of field on Micro Four Thirds, while the 18mm focal length and APO designation minimize chromatic aberrations for sharp 36mm-equivalent wide-angle images. Its declickable aperture ring and close 7.9-inch focusing distance enable silent video iris adjustments and dramatic near-focus perspectives with smooth 9-blade bokeh. Best for astrophotographers and deliberate low-light street shooters who embrace manual focus for precise control, as its travel score of 18/100 reflects the weight and lack of autofocus.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong macro (84th percentile) 84th
- Strong optical (65th percentile) 65th
Cons
- Below average social proof (3rd percentile)
- Below average af (13th percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 3 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Prime |
| Focal Length Min | 18 |
| Focal Length Max | 18 |
| Elements | 14 |
| Groups | 8 |
| ED Elements | 2 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/11 |
| Min Aperture | f/0.95 |
| Constant | No |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | micro-four-thirds |
| Weight | 0.5 kg / 1.1 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 62 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 200 |
| Max Magnification | 1:6.67 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Laowa Argus 18mm f/0.95 APO 18mm | Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD | Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | Sigma Contemporary 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 | Sony G SELP28135G.SYX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 18mm | 17-70mm | 17-28mm | 16-28mm | 12-60mm | 28-135mm |
| Max Aperture | f/11 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/4 |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Fujifilm X | Nikon Z | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | false | false | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 500 | 544 | 450 | 450 | 320 | 420 |
| AF Type | manual focus only | RXD | Stepping Motor | Stepping AF Motor | linear motor | SSM |
| Lens Type | prime | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laowa Argus 18mm f/0.95 APO 18mm | 12.8 | 49.2 | 56.4 | 83.7 | 65.3 | 50.3 | 33.3 | 3.4 | 37.8 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Compare | 53.8 | 87.2 | 69.7 | 85.9 | 91 | 84.4 | 89.3 | 85.2 | 83.4 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 87.4 | 87.2 | 76 | 85.9 | 88 | 84.4 | 67.3 | 69.1 | 37.8 |
| Sigma Contemporary 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Compare | 87.4 | 87.2 | 76 | 77.8 | 97.2 | 84.4 | 67.9 | 63.1 | 37.8 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 Compare | 98.1 | 87.2 | 84.6 | 51.7 | 91 | 84.4 | 93.1 | 68.1 | 83.4 |
| Sony G SELP28135G.SYX Compare | 94.4 | 78.2 | 77.8 | 34.1 | 88 | 66.9 | 92.3 | 56 | 93.4 |
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
