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Venus Laowa 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom vs Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM

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Venus 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom

Wideangle Zoom | Sony E

Venus Laowa 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom
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Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM

Wideangle Zoom | Sony E

Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM
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Venus 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom vs Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Venus 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom and Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM, two Wideangle Zoom lenses from Venus and Sony.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Venus 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom Key Specs

  • 10-18mm Focal Range
  • F4.5-5.6 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 37mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 496g.
  • Diameter: 61mm
  • Length: 91mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.15m
  • Max Magnification:0.25x

Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM Key Specs

  • 16-35mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 82mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 680g.
  • Diameter: 89mm
  • Length: 122mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.28m
  • Max Magnification:0.19x

What type of photography are the Venus 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom and Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Venus 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom and the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Venus 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM
Bird/WildlifePoorPoor
SportsPoorPoor
PortraitFairFair
TravelAverageGood
StreetAverageGood
WeddingFairFair
Walk AroundAverageGood
VloggingGoodVery Good
LandscapeVery GoodVery Good
MacroAveragePoor

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM is the longer of the two lenses at 122mm. The Venus 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom with a length of 91mm is 31mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM also has a larger diameter of 89mm compared to Venus 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom's 61mm diameter.

Below you can find the scaled side by side image of Venus 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom and Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM to get a better idea of how their size compare in real life.

Venus 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom vs Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM Lens Size Comparison
Comparison image of Venus 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom and Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM Size and Weight

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Venus 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom weighs 496g, which means it is 184g (27%) lighter than the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM which has a weight of 680g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Wideangle Zoom Lenses in Sony E Mount for size comparison purposes.

Wideangle Zoom Lenses in Sony E Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G Lens Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G
88mm
81mm 353g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony Vario-Tessar T FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS Lens Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS
99mm
78mm 518g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony E 10-18mm F4 OSS Lens Sony E 10-18mm F4 OSS
64mm
70mm 225g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD Lens Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A
86mm
73mm 335g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art Lens Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art
131mm
85mm 795g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD Lens Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III
mm
mm 420g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony 12-24mm F2.8 GM Lens Sony 12-24mm F2.8 GM
137mm
98mm 847g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G Lens Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G
117mm
87mm 565g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Venus 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom and Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM has the same Sony E lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony E lenses are Sony A7R V, Sony FX30 and Sony A7 IV.

Focal Range

Venus 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom has a focal range of 10-18mm and 1.8X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 15 - 27mm.
Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM has a focal range of 16-35mm and 2.2X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 24 - 52.5mm.

Reasons to choose Venus Laowa 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom over Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM

Focal Length - Wide 10mm vs 16mm 6mm Wider coverage
Distance Scale Yes vs No Distance Scale to assist focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs No Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Weight 496g vs 680g 184g lighter
Diameter 61mm vs 89mm 28mm smaller in diameter
Length 91mm vs 122mm 31mm shorter
Filter Thread 37mm vs 82mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.15m vs 0.28m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.25x vs 0.19x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM over Venus Laowa 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom

Focal Length - Tele 35mm vs 18mm 17mm more Tele coverage
Optical Zoom 2.20x vs 1.80x More flexible focal coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 2.8 vs 4.5 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 2.8 vs 5.6 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 11 vs 7 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Autofocus Yes vs No Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust

Common Strengths of Venus Laowa 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom and Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Common Weaknesses of Venus Laowa 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom and Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization



**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Venus 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom vs Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Venus Sony
Lens Type Zoom Zoom
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Wideangle Zoom Wideangle Zoom
Lens Mount Sony E Sony E
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 10-18mm 16-35mm
Image Stabilization No
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method No Zoom Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom - No
Zoom Lock - No
Zoom Ratio 1.8X 2.2X
Aperture
Max Aperture F4.5-5.6 F2.8
Min Aperture F22 F22
Aperture Ring Yes No
Diaphragm Blades 7 11
Optics
Optical Elements 14 16
Optical Groups 10 13
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.15m 0.28m
Max Magnification 0.25X 0.19X
Autofocus No Yes
AF Motor Type No AF Piezoelectric
Full Time Manual Yes Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale Yes No
DoF Scale Yes No
Distance Scale Yes No
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 496g 680g
Diameter 61mm 89mm
Length 91mm 122mm
Materials Unknown Magnesium alloy
Weather Sealing No Yes
Filter Thread 37mm 82mm
Filter Notes Rear thread -
Hood Supplied Unknown Yes
Hood Code Unknown ALC-SH149
Tripod Collar Unknown No
Optional Accessories - -
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