Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 10-18mm
The ultra-compact 496g build and full-frame coverage make this 10-18mm zoom uniquely portable for an L-Mount system, aided by a de-clicked aperture for silent video adjustments. Its optical design uses two aspherical and one ED element to control distortion, while the Frog Eye Coating repels moisture from the front element. This lens is best for landscape and architecture photographers who prioritize a lightweight kit and are comfortable with manual focus.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong macro (90th percentile) 90th
- Strong optical (78th percentile) 78th
- Strong build (70th percentile) 70th
- Strong versatility (69th percentile) 69th
Cons
- Below average af (14th percentile)
- Below average social proof (29th 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 11 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 10 |
| Focal Length Max | 18 |
| Elements | 14 |
| Groups | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 |
| ED Elements | 1 |
| Coating | Frog Eye Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/4.5 |
| Min Aperture | 4.5-5.6 |
| Constant | No |
| Diaphragm Blades | 5 |
Build
| Mount | L-Mount |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 kg / 1.1 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 37 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 150 |
| Max Magnification | 1:4 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 10-18mm | Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2 | Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 | Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 10-18mm | 17-28mm | 28-75mm | 10-18mm | 12-60mm | 28-70mm |
| Max Aperture | f/4.5 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/22 |
| Mount | L-Mount | Nikon Z | Sony E | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Canon RF |
| Stabilization | false | false | false | false | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 496 | 450 | 540 | 260 | 320 | 495 |
| AF Type | manual focus only | Stepping Motor | VXD | Autofocus | linear motor | STM |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laowa 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 10-18mm | 13.9 | 57.3 | 70 | 90.3 | 77.6 | 60.9 | 69.1 | 29 | 38 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 87 | 88.1 | 73.6 | 86.3 | 87 | 85.8 | 68.1 | 64.6 | 38 |
| Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2 Compare | 54.6 | 88.1 | 67.2 | 87.3 | 87.8 | 85.8 | 78.2 | 83.1 | 38 |
| Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 54.6 | 83.5 | 87.3 | 93.3 | 81.6 | 85.8 | 69.1 | 68.8 | 38 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 Compare | 98 | 88.1 | 83.1 | 50.4 | 90.2 | 85.8 | 93.1 | 63.5 | 83.2 |
| Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM Compare | 87 | 25.9 | 70.2 | 80.4 | 85 | 22.6 | 77.2 | 87.9 | 98.5 |
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
