Venus Laowa 4.5-10mm F2.8 CF Zoom Fisheye

The Venus Laowa 4.5-10mm F2.8 CF Zoom Fisheye is a compact manual focus fisheye zoom for APS-C and Micro Four Thirds cameras. Laowa announced it in May 2026 and offers it for Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Leica L, Fujifilm X, Canon EF-M and Micro Four Thirds. It is aimed at photographers and video creators who want a circular fisheye and a frame filling diagonal fisheye in one small lens, for example for action, travel, astrophotography or immersive footage.

Optical design

The lens has 13 elements in 9 groups and 7 aperture blades. The aperture is f/2.8 over the whole zoom range and closes to f/22. According to Laowa the angle of view is 175 to 180 degrees: at 4.5 mm the lens produces a complete circular image with a 180 degree view, and at 10 mm it turns into a diagonal fisheye that fills the frame. The zoom ratio is 2.2x and the maximum magnification is 0.27x. Laowa describes the lens as parfocal, which means the focus stays in place while zooming. That is useful for video, where refocusing after each zoom change would be a nuisance.

Focusing and handling

Focusing is manual on every mount, and the specifications list no autofocus and no stabilizer. The constant f/2.8 aperture keeps the exposure unchanged when zooming, which Laowa highlights for video work. The minimum focus distance is 10 cm. Laowa points out that this allows a very close foreground subject while the wide background stays in the frame, which gives the exaggerated perspective typical of fisheye lenses.

Build and size

Laowa gives a size of 68.9 mm in diameter and 59.3 mm in length, with a weight of 338 g for the Sony E version. Weights for the other mounts are not listed. The front element is bulbous and the specification sheet shows no filter thread. PetaPixel calls the lens muffin sized, and Laowa says it balances well on gimbals and drones.

Where it fits

Fixed focal length fisheyes in the database are simpler alternatives: the Venus Laowa 4mm F2.8 Fisheye covers the same mounts, while the 7artisans 7.5mm F2.8 Fisheye, the TTArtisan 7.5mm f/2 Fisheye and the Samyang / Rokinon 8mm F2.8 UMC Fisheye II cover several of them. For Fujifilm X there is the Fujifilm XF 8mm F3.5 R WR, and for Micro Four Thirds the Panasonic Lumix G Fisheye 8mm F3.5. The Laowa zoom is the only one here that offers a circular and a diagonal look without changing lenses.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Circular and diagonal fisheye in one lens
• Constant f/2.8 over the zoom range
• Parfocal design for video work
• Minimum focus distance of 10 cm
• Compact and light at 338 g (Sony E)

Cons

• Manual focus only
• No filter thread
• Designed for APS-C and Micro Four Thirds, not for full frame
• Weight and size for most mounts are not stated
• Strong fisheye distortion needs a deliberate style

Verdict

The Venus Laowa 4.5-10mm F2.8 CF Zoom Fisheye is a small specialist lens for creators with APS-C or Micro Four Thirds bodies who want two fisheye looks and a fast constant aperture. It asks for manual focus, but the parfocal design and the compact body make it easy to carry along.